Game Week 11 Predictions: Arsenal seek momentum ahead of international break

Bukayo Saka and Ismaila Sarr will go head to head on Sunday at the Emirates, who will come out tops? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Arsenal vs Watford
Emirates Stadium
3:00pm

Arsenal are on the rise and a win at the Emirates on Sunday will see the Gunners head into the international break on 20points and 5^th on the log, three points clear of Manchester United and just six points off the top of the table.

Watford under Claudio Ranieri impressed at the final stages against Everton but need a win to boost the mood at Vicarage Road and also steer them clear of the drop zone after Burnley’s shock point at Stamford Bridge means there’s only two points between the Hornets and the Clarets.

Arsenal beat Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last weekend 2-0, powered by a fantastic first half performance and defensive solidity in the second half although they’d have their goalkeeper to thank for several key saves that kept them right on top on the day.

Watford were beaten by Southampton last weekend, not for lack of effort as they missed lots of chances in a game where they had four shots on target with Alex McCarthy standing tall in goal for the visitors at Vicarage Road.

It’s a different mood since the tinker man took over at Watford, they now rely on the pace upfront to trouble opponents but their static defense need to do better especially against a talented team like Arsenal on Sunday.

What has changed at Arsenal? Belief first and then the mentality to desire victory. Since their horrendous start to the season, Arsenal have gone on to win five of their seven league games keeping four clean sheets and unbeaten in nine games including Carabao Cup games.

How will both side approach this? The visitors will not be bothered about possession, they will express themselves on the break and maintain a compact shape when they have to defend, they however can’t afford to be too deep.

Arsenal still without Granit Xhaka will most likely maintain the same shape that won back to back league games for the Gunners; Emile Smith-Rowe will continue to roam around with Thomas Partey sitting deep, there will be a decision on who starts between Martin Odegaard and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

A draw will be a very good result for the visitors but they won’t mind more, but for the hosts only a win would do as it won’t only push them further up on the table but also help them head into the international break on a high.

The last five between these two is something Watford would love to change, a solitary point from a possible fifteen isn’t good enough and that can drive them to perform well in this fixture but they must keep an eye on their defense.