Arsenal know that three points at Vicarage Road today could be enough to move them into the top four ahead of the Manchester derby later this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s men take are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches and have won three in a row putting them within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United with three games in hand.
Of the four teams fighting to make it into the Champions League spots, the Gunners seem to have built up the best momentum by having a fairly settled squad and grinding out results when they haven’t played well. Emile Smith Rowe is expected to return to the squad for today’s match against Watford – after sitting out Thursday’s win against Wolves through illness – and his inclusion only strengthens Arteta’s side.
By contrast, Watford are fighting to get themselves out of the relegation zone. They head into the game one place off the bottom of the table but only three points from safety. They’ll take heart from a well-fought goalless draw against Manchester United last time out and will hope a repeat performance today.
Man City vs Man Utd: Cristiano Ronaldo ‘not a big loss’ for Manchester United in derby, claims Gary Neville
Gary Neville maintains Cristiano Ronaldo would not be a “big loss” for Manchester United if he misses the derby against Manchester City.
Speculation has suggested the Portuguese will miss the match at the Etihad Stadium through injury.
But Neville insists the 37-year-old’s profile and the style of play United will likely play against Pep Guardiola’s champions could mean his absence is not a significant blow to their chances.
Cristiano Ronaldo not a ‘big loss’ for Man United in derby, claims Gary Neville
Speculation has suggested that the Portuguese superstar will miss the match at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon
Watford vs Arsenal
Arsenal won just two of their opening eight away league fixtures this season - one draw, five defeats - but have won their subsequent three matches on the road.
Mikel Arteta’s men have opened the scoring in each of their last five Premier League away games and they have taken 22 points from a possible 27 since back-to-back defeats at Manchester United and Everton at the start of December.
Watford vs Arsenal
Watford have won one of their last 15 league and cup matches with three draws and 11 defeats.
They have lost their previous seven Premier League games at Vicarage Road and 10 of 13 overall this season - an 11th defeat would equal a club record.
But, the Hornets have kept three clean sheets in their six top-flight matches under Roy Hodgson, as many as they had in their previous 38 in the division under four different managers.
Man City vs Man Utd: ‘I know my opinion’: Ralf Rangnick on Manchester United’s search for new manager
Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick says he has his “opinion” on who should become the club’s permanent manager.
Rangnick took charge of the club in November after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked. United’s football director John Murtough has said a thorough process is underway to find a permanent replacement for Solskjaer so the club can start winning trophies again.
However, Rangnick hasn’t been consulted on who should get the job.
“So far, we’ve not spoken about that,” he told Sky Sports News. “Not with John Murtough or anyone else, we’ve not spoken about this topic over the last weeks and months since I’ve been here.
“I know my opinion but so far we’ve not spoken about that so it’s all I can tell you.”
Ralf Rangnick gives update on Man United search for new manager
Rangnick is the interim manager at United while the club search for a permanent boss
Watford vs Arsenal: Roy Hodgson determined to ‘break the cycle’ and stop the rot at Watford
Roy Hodgson admitted Watford need to “break the cycle” of their current run of disappointing results ahead of the visit of Arsenal on Sunday.
Watford have picked up just five points from six games following Hodgson’s appointment as Claudio Ranieri’s successor in January, including three clean sheets.
However, that run has included just one victory, Watford’s first since the memorable 4-1 win over Manchester United in November which proved to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last match in charge, and the Hornets are three points from safety.
Roy Hodgson determined to ‘break the cycle’ and stop the rot at Watford
Watford have picked up just five points from six games following Hodgson’s appointment
Watford vs Arsenal: Hodgson hoping to emulate Villa and Man Utd results
Watford manager Roy Hodgson hopes that his team performs to the levels that saw them defeat Aston Villa away from home and draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford when they welcome Arsenal to Vicarage Road today.
He says it will be a “big challenge” to take points off the Gunners but with the right attitude Watford can claim a positive result this afternoon. Hodgson said:
It’s a very big challenge, in the same way that Aston Villa was and Manchester United was. We came out on the right side of those games in terms of our performances and getting something from the game, so we have to take the same attitude into this game.
“We know Arsenal are a very strong team and happen to be an in-form team, they are gelling very well and producing the sort of football that gets results.
“We have to be prepared for whatever they throw at us and have to hope our performance will enable us to come away with a similar good feeling about ourselves as the Aston Villa and Manchester United games.”
Watford vs Arsenal: Arteta on Roy Hodgson and Watford
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke what he is expecting from Watford today and how Hornets boss, Roy Hodgson, has had a positive impact since taking over at Vicarage Road saying:
Roy is extremely good at doing that and getting the team in the same mindset and working really hard, and making the team really compact and hard to beat, that’s for sure. The quality he has, he has more experience than anyone in this league to do that, how to mould the team, how to take the team where he wants and he is exceptional on that.
“[Watford are] very solid, very organised, very clear in how they want to approach the match and what they want to take from the match.
“We have to obviously do what we have planned and take the game in a completely different direction and that will be the challenge.
“It’s a great stadium with a great atmosphere, everything is tight and you know what you’re going to experience there.”
Watford vs Arsenal: Head-to-head
Watford have earned seven points from a possible 45 available against Arsenal in the Premier League - with two wins, one draw and 12 defeats - though they have only lost one of their last three home matches versus the Gunners.
Arsenal have scored in all 15 of their Premier League games against Watford - the only team they have a better record against is West Brom, scoring in all 26 meetings.
The Gunners 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.
Watford vs Arsenal: Arsenal and Watford looking to forge working relationship
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed technical director Edu is aiming to forge a working relationship with Watford.
The clubs are training-ground neighbours, both based in London Colney where Arteta’s side have their own facility next to the home of the Hornets, which was previously occupied by Arsenal.
The proximity of the bases would mean close ties would be easily made, with Arteta himself having trained over the hedge from Watford’s squad during his playing days with the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta: Arsenal and Watford looking to forge working relationship
The clubs are training-ground neighbours and Gunners technical director Edu is exploring ways in which they can work together.
Man City vs Man Utd: Injuries and absentees
Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake were both taken off against Peterborough in Manchester City’s FA Cup midweek win. Dias is expected to be out for up to six weeks with a leg injury and Ake has a minor knock. Cole Palmer will miss out too.
Manchester United’s Scott McTominay returned to training on Wednesday and should be included in the matchday squad but Edinson Cavani has a groin problem and Cristiano Ronaldo has a rumoured injury and may not feature.
