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Arsenal 1-0 Watford: Emile Smith Rowe finds a way on Mikel Arteta’s 100th game in charge

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Emile Smith Rowe’s third goal in as many Premier League games saw Arsenal move level on points with London rivals West Ham United in the top four.

While it was largely a frustrating afternoon during which Bukayo Saka had a first-half goal ruled out before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a penalty just before the interval, a brilliant goal from their academy graduate secured a vital three points.

Arsenal, as expected, largely dominated proceedings but did struggle to make much in the way of clear-cut chances, although a moment of magic from Smith Rowe was enough to extend their Premier League unbeaten record to eight games.

Even the most ardent of Arsenal supporters would surely admit that, a few years ago, it would have been easy to imagine a scenario in which the team would throw a game like this away.

For their part, Watford largely defended well and might have even scored late on when Josh King rounded Aaron Ramsdale, only to miss an open goal from a tight angle.

On his 100th game in charge, however, Mikel Arteta proved his team can find a way.

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