Premier League 2017/18: Watford 2-1 Arsenal, Player Ratings

It's been coming for 30 years for Watford to finally win against Arsenal and given the two line-ups announced before kick-off, it seemed like the right time for the Hornets to do so.

Arsene Wenger’s men, fresh from five victories in a row before the international break, couldn’t hold on to their first-half lead come the final whistle. Marco Silva's men went 1-0 down thanks to a Per Mertesacker header in the first but as is the case with them this season, they clawed their way back and gave their fans three points.

Here's how the players fared:

Watford

Heurelho Gomes (C) - 7/10

Captain from the beginning with Troy Deeney starting on the bench, Heurelho Gomes was asked to come to Watford's rescue quite often and pulled off five saves for his side making him just as vital as the goalscorers for Marco Silva.

Adrian Mariappa - 6.5/10

Was kept busy with a charging Danny Welbeck for most of the game but once the Englishman hobbled off, he seemed to be rather free. Did decent by getting four interceptions and two successful tackles.

Christian Kabasele - 7/10

The Belgian six-footer was called into action often thanks to a rather lively Alexander Lacazette but managed to get nine clearances, three interceptions and kept Oliver Giroud later in the game on a leash. A clean, professional performance from someone who hasn't had the best of runs lately.

Miguel Britos - 7/10

The most successful defender of the back-three was Miguel Britos. He won five duels of the seven he proceeded with, kept troubling Alex Iwobi and Alexander Lacazette with his holds and played the ball out deep surprisingly accurately.

Kiko Femenia - 6.5/10

The Spaniard didn't have the best of games often being outmuscled by the likes of Sead Kolasinac but contributed decently to his side's win with two critical interceptions and two tackles.

Tom Cleverley - 7.5/10

You never would've thought that the former Manchester United man would get the win given he was the one always at the centre of the park but his effort was excellent and he deserves all the credit for being a nuisance to the Arsenal midfielder throughout the game. Beaten too often but for tonight, that doesn't matter.

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 7/10

An 88.9% pass accuracy rate meant that Abdoulaye Doucoure was at the heart of most of Watford's attacks, continuously supplying balls into the first three. Got ahead more than his partner, Cleverly, but also got his hands -- feet, in this case -- dirty with excellent defensive contributions.

Jose Holebas - 6.5/10

Jose Holebas didn't have the best of games at left-wing-back with poor passing accuracy, nonexistent key passes and just one successful dribble all game. Lucky for him, the lad in front of him took all the blows and did all the work. Marco Silva needs to shore up the Greek international.

Roberto Pereyra - 7/10

There was this one moment in the game when Roberto Pereyra got the back and effortlessly beat two Arsenal defenders getting away into the final third. Barring that, he didn't contribute too much. Was dispossessed too often and could surely use the chance to go back to his prefered position in the middle of the park.

Andre Gray - 6/10

Andre Gray is fast -- especially when he's up against Per Mertesacker -- but the German kept him quiet all evening. Gray should've stayed in the final third near the edge of the box but was often the one dropping in to receive the ball in the midfield. His role needs to be made clear, it seems.

Richarlison - 8/10

A classic British display for the 20-year-old Brazilian although Watford's first might credit his nationality more. Won the most duels in the team, got into the box well, tested Petr Cech a couple of times and when it mattered most, he even went down for his team. Proving to be quite the pain in the buttocks for Premier League teams.

Substitutes

Troy Deeney - 7/10

Was on the pitch for only 27 minutes but the captain scored the all-crucial equaliser and helped his side score the second to see his team rise to fourth in the table. Phew. The Hornets are having quite the season and even though Deeney isn't seeing many minutes on the grass, his contribution when on is huge.

Andre Carrilo - 6/10

An exciting winger but he didn't do much coming on together with his captain. His passing was the only memorable contribution with him notching one key chance.

Etienne Capoue - 6.5/10

He scored against Arsenal last year and he nearly did so again with his effort hitting the post albeit thanks to two deflections. The Frenchman is a no-nonsense midfielder and his surging direct runs caused Arsenal a lot of problems in the final ten minutes of the game.

Arsenal

Petr Cech - 5/10

12 times he's faced penalties wearing an Arsenal kit and 12 times he's seen them fly by him into the back of the net. The 35-year-old may not decide to call it quits this year but his contribution to Arsenal's loss today was telling. Needs to be quicker and sharper in his decision making. Not his usual self.

Nacho Monreal - 5/10

One of Arsenal's better performers this season didn't have the best of games today. Lost ten duels to Watford players and was constantly left to resorting to desperate attempts to win the ball back for his side. Needs to up his game after tonight's show.

Per Mertesacker - 8/10

His first goal in almost four years of Premier League football wasn't the only thing that impressed Arsenal fans of his play today. He led the line well, constantly exploiting his solid relationship with Laurent Koscielny and couldn't do much to prevent Watford's winner thanks to a falling Cech. But did well otherwise and has shown that he isn't out of the game just yet.

Laurent Koscielny - 7/10

A genuinely Laurent Koscielny-esque performance today from the Frenchman. He was solid, he was sharp and he won 66% of his tackles for Arsenal. As is the case in recent history, Arsenal conceded a goal after Koscielny hobbled off. Damn you, Bayern.

Sead Kolasinac - 6/10

Given his run in the side so far, it was an oddly poor performance for the former Schalke man, Sead Kolasinac. The Bosnian never settled like he usually does and even though he won the majority of his duels and tackles, he didn't contribute enough to the attack for his side to control the game.

Granit Xhaka - 7/5/10

Back to his fluent best with the ball at his feet, Granit Xhaka enjoyed Watford's rather weak midfield passing the ball around the pitch with ease. The assist for Per Mertesacker's header was incredibly precise and he needs to stay on the upward curve for him to stay in the team.

Mohamed Elneny - 7/10

The best passer in the game today, Mohamed Elneny, was safe with his passes and created one big chance his side failed to capitalise on. The Egyptian is still a bit of a puzzle but Arsene Wenger seems to like him. Was brushed off the ball too easily and strayed forward too often.

Hector Bellerin - 6/10

A roller-coaster of a performance for young Hector Bellerin today. He produced a fine tackle in the 28th minute to stop Richarlison from shooting but then gave away a penalty to the same player late in the second half. Was solid otherwise and contributed well to Arsenal's attacks.

Danny Welbeck - 6.5/10

Another hard working performance complemented the often paired injury. Danny Welbeck will be an asset for Arsenal should he stay fit for a long period of time but these injuries seem to be recurring too often for him to be considered a better player. However, his 90% accuracy rate today and his runs into the box means he'll be missed for the duration of his time out.

Alex Iwobi - 6.5/10

With Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere all not starting, all the creative burden fell on the young Nigerian and for the most part, he did alright creating one big chance and supplying one key pass. Needs to work on his ball control for he was dispossessed too often trying to get fancy.

Alexander Lacazette - 7/10

The Frenchman had a decent game even though he was isolated for the most part trying to create a chance for himself but a flick and a run in the second half, and then setting up Danny Welbeck with a clever lob showed exactly what Arsene Wenger saw in him. He's got style, he's got the skills but he needs the team around him to help him out.

Substitutes

Mesut Ozil - 6/10

Yes, he got brushed aside often and didn't defend enough before Watford's penalty was awarded but that really isn't the German's game. He had two key passes even though he only played for half an hour and he created one big chance for his side to tuck away. Missed a sitter against Gomes having been put through by Iwobi, however.

Olivier Giroud- 6/10

He came on in the 68th minute and didn't do much for his share of being the striker. Was mobbed by defenders soon after coming on and was left to do too much on his own.

Rob Holding - NA

Can't really rate Rob Holding for his performance tonight because he played only a couple of minutes towards the end of the game. Did get two clearances and one successful tackle to show for his efforts.

Edited by Amit Mishra