Arsenal struck twice in the final 10 minutes to see off a spirited Watford 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and register a fifth consecutive Premier League win.
After a lively opening, Alexandre Lacazette squandered a golden opportunity in the 15th minute, clipping a tame effort over the onrushing Ben Foster and wide of the post after latching on to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s poor headed pass.
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Bernd Leno wasted little time in making his mark after replacing Cech – who pulled up holding his hamstring after a goal kick – getting down smartly to push Troy Deeney’s flicked effort from Roberto Pereyra’s free kick around the post six minutes into the second period.
Lacazette’s woes in front of goal continued soon after, skewing his header horribly wide after a sweeping counter-attack, before Leno again came to his side’s rescue, racing off his line to block Andre Gray’s effort.
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Substitute Isaac Success clipped agonisingly wide late on before Craig Cathcart turned Alex Iwobi’s cross into his own net under pressure from Lacazette.
Mesut Ozil then sealed the win with a cool finish from Lacazette’s cross in the 83rd minute as Emery’s men marched on.
After an impressive start to the season – which saw them win their opening four games – Watford have now gone three without a win and are in danger of slipping down the Premier League table.