Match Focus: Defensive Records Set to be Tested as Watford Host Arsenal

Rounding off Saturday's action, Watford host Arsenal as both sides look to protect impressive defensive records at Vicerage Road. The Hornets have had a strong start to the season upon their return to the top-flight, though Arsenal were back to their best themselves ahead of the international break.

The Gunners, though, may have one eye on the Champions League as they prepare to host Bayern Munich next week, so Watford will be aiming to profit from any complacency their visitors may show. It would, after all, be very 'Arsenal' to thump United and then throw away all of their good work in the following game.

That said, Quique Flores' side have struggled to find the back of the net with any great regularity this season, and if one side are to retain their table topping defensive record of just 7 goals conceded thus far, most would certainly back Wenger's men. That said, Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet on the road this season and conceded twice in each of their last two away games.

The man tasked with breaking down the visitors' backline will again be Odion Ighalo, who has scored 5 of Watford's 6 goals this season - taking his tally for the club to 21 in the calendar year. The Nigerian is certainly profiting from the unselfishness of strike partner Troy Deeney - with no more frequent assist to goalscorer combination than Deeney to Ighalo (3 times) in the Premier League so far.

Arsenal, however, have a man of their own in red hot form, with Alexis Sanchez continuing his fantastic scoring streak into the international break to score in both of Chile's outings. The winger has scored 6 goals in his last 3 matches for the Gunners after a slow start to the season by his superb standards and will surely put Watford's defensive resolve to the test along with the likes of Ozil and Walcott.

The home side have shown already that they will be no pushovers this season, already building a 6-point gap from the drop zone, but if Arsenal's attacking stars can maintain their form this game is only likely to have one outcome.

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