Here’s why Arsenal will leap up into Champions League places with victory over Watford

Refreshed and rejuvenated, Arsenal have been closing in on the top four and Mikel Arteta’s side can take a massive step towards a Champions League berth with victory over Watford.

Their recent 2-1 win over Wolves left Arsenal just two points off fourth-place Manchester United with two games in hand. 

And along with Arteta’s determination, Emile Smith Rowe will be looking to achieve a phenomenal record. 

The winger is currently Arsenal’s top scorer with nine goals and if he finds the net against Watford then he will become the second player aged 21 or under to reach double figures in a Premier League season along with Nicolas Anelka in 1998-99. 

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So, the Gunners have quite a lot to play for which will be troubling news for Roy Hodgson’s side, especially given their position in the league at the moment. 

The Hornets are second bottom in the table and are likely one of the favourites to go down which is unsurprising considering they have won just once in the last 15 games. Ouch.

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talkSPORT EDGE takes a look at why Arsenal should travel back to north London with joy…

• Watford have earned just seven points from 45 available against Arsenal in the Premier League (W2 D1 L12), though four of these have come in their last three home games against them (W1 D1 L1).

• Arsenal have scored in all 15 of their Premier League games against Watford – only against West Brom (26/26) do the Gunners have a better 100% scoring rate in the competition.

• Arsenal have scored the first goal in 14 of their 15 Premier League meetings with Watford, with the exception being a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in January 2017.

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• Roy Hodgson has won just one of his 12 Premier League home games against Arsenal (D4 L7), winning 1-0 with Fulham in August 2008. His final home match in charge of Crystal Palace ended in a 3-1 defeat to the Gunners in May last season.

• Watford have won just three of their 20 Premier League games played in March (D3 L14), the second-lowest win rate in the month of any team to have spent more than three seasons in the competition (15%), ahead only of Ipswich Town (13%).

• Arsenal have won each of their last three Premier League away games, having won just two of their first eight on the road this season (D1 L5). The Gunners have opened the scoring in each of their last five Premier League away games, last having a longer such run between January and May 2015 (7).

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• Since losing consecutive league games against Manchester United and Everton at the start of December, Arsenal have taken 22 points from 27 available to them in the Premier League (W7 D1 L1). Their only dropped points in that run have come in home games (1-2 vs Man City, 0-0 vs Burnley).