Day 5: Arsenal TRADE two first half goals for a draw - Watford 2 -2 Arsenal

Arsenal traded a two-goal lead in the first half to draw even with Watford at the Vicarage Road on Sunday evening.

Quique Sanchez Flores on his return made two changes to his first line-up as Watford manager in his second spell. Gerard Deulofeu and Etienne Capoue, the latter after injury.

Roberto Pereyra was dropped to the bench, while Craig Cathcart was injured, and the Hornets reverted to a back four having played five across the back in their draw at Newcastle in Javi Gracia's last game.

Mesut Ozil returned and looked like he'll either play behind a front two of Nicholas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, or perhaps off the left in the Arsenal attack, with Unai Emery light on options after Alexandre Lacazette was ruled out by injury. Their other change saw a straight swap in midfield, Dani Ceballos back and Lucas Torreira on the bench.

Quique Sanchez Flores was formally welcome by a PA announcer to all the four sides of the stadium before the game got underway.

Watford started the game so well with the crowd roaring behind them. The Hornets were looking to bounce from their drawn game with Newcastle before the International break. Leono made a good save to deny Tom Cleverley’s 20-yard shot in the 11-minute. The former Manchester United player aimed at the center to trouble the goalkeeper but he tipped it over the bar. Pepe stepped inside Holebas far too easily and bent one just past the far post from 20 yards. The Gunners took over possession and just when they were pressing the home side for the opener, Aubameyang broke the deadlock in the 21-minute.

Kolasinic picked up the ball when Huges was robbed on the halfway line and raced forward into space. He looked up from 25 yards out, spotted Aubameyang on the edge and the Gabon striker had time to turn and fire the ball inside the near post.

Aubameyang added a second nine minutes later. A mix of more slick Arsenal attacking and more poor Watford defending gave the Gunners a second. Ozil slipped the ball through the defense for Maitland-Niles to get in behind Helebas. He crossed for Aubameyang who had totally lost Dawson to tap in at the far post.

Watford came stronger in the second half. Guendouzi almost gave Gray the advantage to pull a goal back. He initiated a blind pass into his own box where Gray intercepted but a clumsy touch gave Xhaka time to get back and clear before he could bring the ball down.

Waford were given a life line in the 53-minute from Leno’s error. The Arsenal goalkeeper ordered a dangerous pass from a goal kick to Sokratis. He tried to find Guendouzi on the edge of the box but it stroke Deulofeu and deflected into Cleverley’s path. From 12 yards out, he found the bottom corner of the net.

The atmosphere charged and transformed after the Hornet's goal. Deulofeu settled on a threatening approach. Every attack he initiated from that moment proved hostile for the Gunners. Gray was subbed for Sarr as Unai Emery's side gradually lost focus and confidence to play like the first half. The crowd erupted with shouts to motivate Watford.

Unai Emery substituted Ceballos for Willock. Finally, the chance the yellow shirted boys and been waiting came. The Hornets were awarded a penalty from David Luiz’s tackle in the box. From a counter attack, Pereya showed hs tricky feet to turn inside of the Brazilian on the edge of the box.  He stuck out a cautious leg for a penalty. Pereya stepped up and sent Leno the wrong way firing into the bottom left corner.

Watford almost snatched the win in additional time. Doucoure initiated a dangerous attack. he surged forward and directed a decent long pass toward the right to Sarr. The substitute returned the favor and found him unmarkied in the box with a low cross. From eight yards, he side fotts it straight at Leno.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was voted as the Man of the Match. The Gabonese International since his Premier League debut in February has been directly involved in 46 goals in the competition (37 goals, 9 assists); only Mo Salah (53) has had a hand in more in this time.