Watford secured their first point of the season last time around when they drew with Newcastle United, but that wasn’t enough to save Javi Gracia’s job, who was sacked and replaced by former Watford manager Quique Sánchez Flores. The Hornets are bottom of the table and will come up against an exciting Arsenal side this Sunday.
The Gunners defeated Watford in both games in the Premier League last season, but the hosts have a decent recent record against Unai Emery’s team, winning two of their last five fixtures.
Who could line up for Flores on his return to the Watford dugout?
Although Heurelho Gomes played for Watford during Flores’ first stint at Vicarage Road, we will most likely see Ben Foster retain his place in the Watford lineup.
In their last game against Newcastle United, the Hornets played with three central defenders and two wing-backs, but Flores could revert to a back four against Arsenal.
Christian Kabasele and Craig Dawson could start the game as the two central defenders in the Watford lineup, as Craig Cathcart is carrying an injury. Daryl Janmaat and José Holebas could play at right-back and left-back, respectively.
Flores is expected to play two defensive midfielders with Étienne Capoue and Abdoulaye Doucouré the most likely pairing to start in that role. Will Hughes, who scored last time against Newcastle, could start on the right, while Roberto Pereyra could start on the left for the Hornets against Arsenal.
Pereyra played a few minutes in Argentina’s 4-0 win against Mexico this past week. Ismaïla Sarr is an option out wide for Watford, although he is unlikely to start.
Flores likes hard-working players in attack, who can stop the opposition from playing the ball out. Captain Troy Deeney is most likely going to miss the game due to an injury, which means that the attacking duo for Watford will most likely be Gerard Deulofeu and Andre Gray while Danny Welbeck is also a highly likely alternative.
Gray is the only other player apart from Hughes to score for the Hornets this season, having scored against West Ham United.
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