Mesut Ozil then rubbed salt into Watford’s wounds with a third in first-half stoppage time and although substitute Roberto Pereyra pulled one back after 57 minutes, Arsenal comfortably secured all three points.
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Arsenal’s midfield has often been criticised for lacking that bite or edge that is now considered a requirement in any title-winning side but Xhaka’s performances so far suggest he can be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
Riyad Mahrez wasted a chance to make it three when the winger’s penalty was saved by Lukasz Fabianski and there was more frustration for Leicester when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel came off injured. They haven’t registered their first win yet in the league as they drew one and lost one. Watford drop into the relegation zone at the start of what could be a tough fight for survival.
His variety in passing and defensive ability can turn the Gunners into a different animal and vindicates Wenger’s initial desire to sign him last December.
Hazard, a crushing disappointment under former manager Mourinho last season, again showed he was back to his best this term with a brilliant solo goal in the ninth minute against Burnley.
Josh King opened the scoring when Harry Arter picked him out after Palace failed to clear a corner, leaving the striker to take the ball down on his chest before finishing from a tight angle.
WatfordGomes, Britos, Prodl, Cathcart, Amrabat, Behrami, Capoue, Holebas, Guedioura, Deeney, Ighalo. SUBS: Success 7, Janmaat 6, Pereyra 7. SUBS: Gibbs 6, Wilshere 6, Elneny 6.
The Gunners broke the deadlock when Sanchez was knocked on the head in the area by Nordin Amrabat, and Cazorla slotted the resulting penalty down the middle. Nearly an own goal from Koscielny but Cech does well to parry clear.
Watford looked to have gained the momentum, but it was Arsenal who extended their lead.
Bournemouth’s Joshua King scores their first goal. At the moment we are not completely there physically and could see that in the second half. On the break, a cross from Theo Walcott bounced past the Watford defense and to Sanchez, who contorted his body to chip his shot over the defense and down into goal. He has only scored more PL goals versus Leicester City (4).
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Crystal Palace claimed their first point of the season with a last-minute equaliser against Bournemouth, who had taken the lead in the 11th minute through Joshua King. He has now converted seven of his eight penalties in the PL. He comes to a club that concedes four goals against Liverpool, so he is under pressure.
