Having ended a four-match winless run with a victory in their FA Cup 5th round replay against Hull City in midweek, Arsene Wenger’s men now face Watford in the competition’s quarter-finals on Sunday.
Arsenal have not been in the best of form of late, but were able to thrash Hull City 4-0 on Tuesday to set up an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Watford at the Emirates. The Gunners will be hoping to build momentum with a win against the Hornets on Sunday, ahead of the second leg of their Champions League tie against FC Barcelona in midweek.
There is both good and bad news for the Gunners with regards to injuries. Arsene Wenger confirmed that midfielder Aaron Ramsey’s injury will rule him out for up to a month, but defenders Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, and Gabriel are all likely to be fit for the weekend.
Team News
Arsenal FC
Watford
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won their last 6 games against Watford in all competitions.
- The Gunners last lost to Watford in 1988.
- Arsene Wenger’s side have scored at least twice in 9 out of their last 11 games in the FA Cup.
- Watford have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 FA Cup ties.
Prediction
Arsenal 1-1 Watford
Wenger insisted in his pre-match press conference that his side would not be distracted by the midweek Champions League clash at the Nou Camp. However, the Frenchman and his players are bound to have one eye on that game. Besides, they are also fighting to stay in the title hunt in the Premier League, while chasing a third consecutive FA Cup.
Watford, on the other hand, have nothing to play for in the league and will be determined to do well in the tie. As such, Sunday’s game could well result in a stalemate, forcing a replay at Vicarage Road.
Odds (bet365)
- Arsenal: 3/5
- Draw: 3
- Watford: 11/2
