ARSENAL continued their run of good form on Sunday as they secured a 1-0 Premier League win over Watford at the Emirates Stadium.
Emile Smith Rowe scored the only goal in the 56th minute in manager Mikel Arteta’s 100th match in charge.
Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a first-half penalty saved by Ben Foster and the Hornets goalkeeper produced another fine save to stop Gabriel’s header shortly before half-time.
England international with Nigerian heritage Bukayo Saka also had an eighth-minute finish ruled out for offside in a dominant Arsenal display.
The Gunners’ sixth victory in eight Premier League games moved them up to fifth, level on points with fourth-placed West Ham, while Watford remain two points above the relegation places.
Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong was an unused substitute for Watford, who had another Nigerian Emmanuel Dennis in their starting line-up.
Also on Sunday, Antonio Conte’s first Premier League game in charge of Tottenham ended in a O-0 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
Tottenham had gone more than three hours in the league without a shot on target but substitute Giovani lo Celso almost got Conte off to a winning start in the league when he hit the post with two minutes to go.
Everton had Mason Holgate sent off late on for dangerous play while a penalty awarded to them was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).
VAR was also heavily involved in another Premier League fixture on Sunday, ruling out a second-half Leicester City goal in a 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road.
Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman thought he had scored the winner midway through the second half, but he was marginally offside when Jamie Vardy had flicked on the ball into his path.
Raphinha had put Leeds deservedly in front in the 26th minute when his free-kick beat Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel at his far post.
But Leicester responded seconds after the resulting kick-off with Harvey Barnes hitting a stunning shot into the top corner from a tight angle.
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi made his first Premier League start for Leicester since his injury in September, while his international teammate Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute.
With the draw, Leeds moved three points clear of the relegation zone, while Leicester stayed in 12th spot.
The Foxes have now gone four games without a win.
