Arsenal’s title hopes dealt blow by Watford defeat

Watford beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium to leave the Gunners’ hopes of a first league title since 2004 hanging by a thread.

The Hornets raced into a two-goal advantage courtesy of first-half strikes from Younes Kaboul and Troy Deeney.

The hosts improved after the interval and Alex Iwobi halved the deficit just shy of the hour mark.

Second-half substitute Lucas Perez hit the bar as Arsenal chased a leveller but Watford held on to secure the win.

Have Arsenal blown it? Certainly looks that way. A side with serious title aspirations should be winning their home games at the very least, and this was a confusing performance from them in the first half. They look to be too far behind now - unless, of course, Chelsea undergo a spectacular meltdown.

Sebastian Prodl (Watford): The centre-half was immense this evening, the absolute lynchpin of a solid and hard-working Watford defence.

Arsenal: Cech 7, Gabriel 7, Mustafi 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 6, Conquelin 6, Ramsey 5, Iwobi 7, Ozil 7, Alexis 7, Giroud 6. Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Lucas 6, Walcott 7.

Watford: Gomes 7, Cathcart 7, Kaboul 8, Prödl 8, Britos 7, Behrami 7, Janmaat 7, Cleverley 7, Capoue 8, Niang 8, Deeney 7. Subs: Doucoure 6, Success 6, Okaka 6.

10' - GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Watford. Another free kick from Kaboul, struck with power, and it deflects off Aaron Ramsey.

13' - GOAL! Arsenal 0-2 Watford. A great run through the middle from Etienne Capoue, with nobody bothering to put in a challenge, and the ball squirms through to Troy Deeney who hammers that home from close range.

36' - SAVE! A great reaction save by Petr Cech as Janmaat lashes his shot in. Arsenal are struggling to get possession and Watford are well in command.

58' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-2 Watford. Alexis does the work down the right, and Iwobi gallops it in at the far post to get a goal back.

76' - WASTE! Gabriel pulls a face at his own shot, which was struck with venom from the edge of the box but ballooned into the stands.

This is Watford's first win in the top flight against Arsenal since the 1-0 victory at Highbury in the old Division One on 15 April 1988 (with the winning goal from Rick Holden).

Alexis Sanchez has provided the assist on three of Alex Iwobi's five Premier League goals, including both against Watford.