Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan combine to take Arsenal past Watford

Arsenal got back to winning ways in the Premier League as the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-Henrikh Mkhitaryan partnership helped them to a 3-0 win over Watford.

It was a strong start from Arsenal and they were quick out of the trap, pressing forward and taking an early lead thanks to a eighth-minute goal from Shkodran Mustafi, assisted by Mesut Ozil. They attacked well in the first half, and an eager Ozil looked frustrated at times as he failed to make anything of a couple of decent chances, at times hindered by the quality of passing from his team-mates.

Watford defended well, and were at times were able to put pressure on the home side, though these attempts were ultimately fruitless thanks to some good saves by Petr Cech, searching for his 200th Premier League clean sheet.

Watford came back stronger in the second and Arsenal looked as if they would struggle to maintain their lead, but a goal from Aubameyang followed a penalty from Troy Deeney which was saved by Cech, his first penalty save in 16 attempts as an Arsenal player..

Arsenal picked up the pace again and returning Mkhitaryan’s earlier assist, Aubameyang supplied the cross to give the Armenia international his first league goal for Arsenal. The win moves Arsenal to within 10 points of Tottenham, ahead of their match against Bournemouth later on Sunday.

Can Arsenal turn their season around? There were a lot of empty seats at the Emirates as fans showed discontent with the Arsenal hierarchy by staying away. The North Londoners looked almost unrecognisable from their game against Brighton last week, but they’ll have a long way to go before they’re back in their fans’ good books, and their inconsistency will no doubt be the cause of much frustration. They face Stoke on April 1st, in their first game back after the international break.

Petr Cech (Arsenal): It’s been a tough time for the keeper, who was forced to accept some responsibility after a terrible result last weekend against Brighton. Cech stepped up and made some good saves to claim his 200th Premier League clean sheet after a wait of 11 games.

Arsenal: Cech 8, Maitland-Niles 6, Holding 6, Mustafi 7, Kolasinac 6, Elneny 7, Xhaka 7, Ozil 7, Iwobi 6, Mkhitaryan 7, Aubameyang 7. Subs: Welbeck 7, Wilshere 6, Chambers 6.

Watford: Karnezis 6, Femenia 6, Prodl 6, Mariappa 7, Holebas 7, Doucoure 7, Capoue 6, Janmaat 6, Pereyra 7, Richarlison 6, Deeney 6. Subs: Okaka 6, Hughes 5, Britos 5.

8’ GOAL! Ozil delivers the ball over the wall from a free-kick and it's in the net courtesy of Mustafi. Lovely stuff.

59’ GOAL! Arsenal double their lead thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 2-0

61’ PENALTY! Hang on, Pereyra is down thanks to a rather bullish attempt by Iwobi to take possession.

61’ MISS! Troy Deeney, to the sound of rapturous booing by the home fans, steps up. But Cech saves it!

78’ GOAL! Mkhitaryan scores Arsenal's third with a cross from former Dortmund team-mate Aubameyang!