Epl review: Watford 2 vs Arsenal 1: here is how the gunners fared
Arsenal conceded two second-half goals en route to a 2-1 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road, ending the club's seven-match unbeaten streak.
The hosts found the game-winning goal in stoppage time as Tom Cleverley blasted a shot into the roof of the net in the 92nd minute.
Troy Deeney picked a good time to end his goalless drought for the Hornets, as he scored from the penalty spot with 19 minutes remaining after a questionable decision on Hector Bellerin.
Deeney hadn't scored in his previous 13 Premier League matches.
Both sides struggled to find chances during the opening stanza, but it was the visitors that found the breakthrough six minutes from halftime.
The Gunners went in front in the 39th minute when Per Mertesacker headed home a corner kick for his first goal since the 2014/15 PL season.
Mesut Ozil found himself in on goal in the 70th minute, but he lacked the finishing touch as Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes stopped the speedy winger in front of goal.
The German nearly set up the game's second goal in the 63rd minute when his brilliant through ball found Alex Iwobi inside the Watford penalty area. However, Iwobi's attempt was saved excellently by Gomes.
Wenger's crew had another good opportunity to break the deadlock 10 minutes prior when Mohamed El Neny's blast from outside the box glanced just wide of the top right corner.
Roberto Pereyra had their best chance of the opening 45 come when his header from Abdoulaye Doucouré's cross glanced well wide of the target.
Watford moves into fourth place in the PL with their victory, while Arsenal drops to sixth on 13 points.
Player ratings (1-10):
Cech -- 5 -- Didn't have much to do throughout the match outside of the PK.
Mertesacker -- 7 -- Strong day defensively and scored his first goal in three PL seasons.
Koscielny -- 5 -- Went off with a few minutes remaining. Will be upset he couldn't help preserve the draw.
Monreal -- 4 -- A part of the back line that couldn't hold onto the 1-1 draw. Gutting result.
Bellerin -- 4 -- Unfortunate to have the penalty called against him, but it also wasn't the Spaniard's best outing.
Kolasinac -- 5 -- Always finds a way to look clever down the wings, but his chances were limited by Watford.
Xhaka -- 6 -- The Swiss international is so dangerous on set pieces. Had the corner kick to set up Mertesacker's finish.
El Neny -- 5 -- Nearly scorched a shot into the top corner in the first half.
Iwobi -- 6 -- Looked active throughout the match, and almost scored Arsenal's second around the hour mark, had it not been for Gomes.
Welbeck -- 5 -- Had himself a solid match prior to going off injured in the second half. Another bad break for the England international.
Lacazette -- 4 -- Almost nonexistent on the day. Subbed off with about 20 minutes to play.
Substitutions:
Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Rob Holding
By Matt Reed (@MattReedFutbol)