Watford ended their seven-match winless run in the Premier League in the most unlikely way after an astonishing 2-1 win at Arsenal this evening.

Walter Mazzarri’s side stunned the Gunners after ten minutes with Younes Kaboul’s deflected strike giving them the lead and incredibly Watford doubled the lead shortly afterwards through Troy Deeney.

Watford were outstanding in the first half while the Gunners were dreadful and the visitors could have easily been more than 2-0 ahead.

But Arsenal dominated after the break and their pressure was rewarded with a goal for Alex Iwobi in the 58th minute.

Lucas Perez struck the crossbar in the last ten minutes but Watford held on for an incredible victory - their first over Arsenal in the Premier League. 

It was an extraordinary turnaround just two days after Watford were humiliated by League One Millwall in the FA Cup. 

The Hornets made nine changes from the side beaten at Millwall on Sunday. Miguel Britos and Younes Kaboul were the only players kept in the team.

Mazzarri handed a debut to new signing M’Baye Niang with the French attacker playing out wide and Deeney leading the attack.

The Gunners made ten changes from the side which thrashed Southampton in the FA Cup and there was no place in the squad for Danny Welbeck despite his brace at the weekend.

The hosts’ first effort of the game fell to Aaron Ramsey but the midfielder’s half-volley flew harmlessly over Heurelho Gomes’ crossbar.

But the Hornets stunned Arsenal with the opening goal after ten minutes. Kaboul’s strike, from a Tom Cleverley free-kick lay-off, took a deflection off Ramsey and flew past goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Gunners were shell-shocked and it got even worse for them three minutes later when Watford doubled their lead. Etienne Capoue raced into the area and his effort was blocked by Cech but Deeney pounced to net the rebound from close range.

Arsene Wenger was forced into an early change with Ramsey suffering an injury and the midfielder was replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The home side’s frustration increased when Nacho Monreal went down in the penalty area and was booked for a dive.

Watford Observer:

It was almost 3-0 when the Hornets surged forward and Capoue’s cross was headed towards goal by Sebastian Prodl but Cech tipped the effort over the bar.

Watford were causing Arsenal problems from every attack and Daryl Janmaat’s fierce strike was parried by Cech with the hosts all over the place defensively.

Arsenal were struggling to make any impression in attack and their performance was summed up by a dragged effort from Alexis Sanchez which flew wide of the target.

It was no surprise Theo Walcott was introduced at the break in place of Olivier Giroud after an abject first half from the Gunners.

There was already more tempo and energy from the hosts in the opening minutes after the break as Walcott flashed a shot wide of the target.

The England forward was making a huge difference and was only denied a goal by an important block from Gomes.

Arsenal kept the pressure on and Iwobi came close to pulling a goal back but Gomes produced an excellent save to block his effort.

Wenger’s side were piling on the pressure and Gomes had to be alert again to block Mesut Ozil’s half-volley.

Arsenal were completely transformed after the break and Iwobi gave them hope after tucking the ball home from Sanchez’s cross.

The Hornets made their first change just after the hour mark with midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure replacing Valon Behrami.

Arsenal also made their second substitution with Perez coming on for Francis Coquelin.

Watford brought Isaac Success back from injury with the powerful forward brought on midway through the half for debutant Niang.

Perez created an opportunity for Gabriel but the defender blasted his effort wastefully over Gomes’ bar.

The Gunners were starting to run out of time but went close from Monreal's powerful volley which flew wide of the post. 

Mazzarri made the Hornets' final change in the last ten minutes with Stefano Okaka replacing goalscorer Deeney. 

Arsenal came desperately close to an equaliser through Perez but his fierce strike smashed against the bar.

There were five minutes of injury time and Perez had the final chance of the game but fired straight at Gomes.

The final whistle blew which sparked wild celebrations in the away end as Watford clinched a remarkable win at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal: Cech; Gabriel, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin (Perez, 66), Ramsey (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19); Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud (Walcott, HT)

Subs not used: Gibbs, Ospina, Bellerin, Maitland-Niles

Watford: Gomes; Cathcart, Kaboul, Prödl, Britos; Behrami (Doucoure, 62); Janmaat, Cleverley, Capoue, Niang (Success, 69); Deeney (Okaka, 84) 

Subs not used: Mariappa, Watson, Mason, Arlauskis

Referee: Andre Marriner

Attendance: 60,035