Arsenal face Watford this Sunday and will have a tricky test against a team that are at the bottom of the Premier League table, but have some good players.
Watford have a new manager in Quique Sánchez Flores, who has been reappointed for the second time after the sacking of Javi Gracia.
The Hornets have secured just one point so far in four games, while the Gunners have won two, drawn one, and lost one, with their only loss coming against Liverpool.
Unai Emery’s side will go into the match as the favourites, but Watford could spring a surprise at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Let’s take a look at 3 key battles between Watford and Arsenal:
Watford vs Arsenal – 3 Key Battles
Matteo Guendouzi vs Abdoulaye Doucouré
Despite being just 20 years of age, Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is perhaps the best midfielder in the team as well as the one in form.
The French midfielder is a player with a lot of energy and work-rate, while being a very good passer of the ball.
Guendouzi has the vision to play through balls and dictate the tempo of the game, averaging 59.5 passes this season, with a pass completion rate of 88.2%.
He will be up against Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucouré, a player who is physically strong and makes assured tackles in the game. In the four games so far, Doucouré has averaged 2.3 tackles per game, while averaging 1.8 interceptions.
Doucouré will probably be given the task of stopping Guendouzi from passing the ball or dribbling with it, while he himself will have to keep the ball ticking and control possession in midfield.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Christian Kabasele
Watford have not been good defensively so far this season, conceding 8 goals in 4 games, but that could change under Flores, who puts in a lot of emphasis on the defensive aspect of the game.
Central defender Craig Cathcart is set to miss the game against Arsenal, and Christian Kabasele – who was a part of the back three last time around – will be the defensive leader of the team.
Kabasele will have a tough task on his hands when he faces off against Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has managed 3 goals from 4 games.
Aubameyang’s pace and energy in the final third of the pitch could cause some trouble for the Watford defence.
Andre Gray vs David Luiz
Watford captain Troy Deeney is set to miss the game against Arsenal. Andre Gray will most likely lead the line, and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Arsenal and their centre-back David Luiz, who has been exposed on more than one occasion this season.
Gray’s energy and pace, coupled with Luiz’s questionable positioning, could make this an interesting battle.