Hayden Mullins has thanked Watford supporters for the messages they have sent to the club ahead of their crucial match against Arsenal this afternoon.

The game at the Emirates will determine whether or not the Hornets are still in the Premier League next season, while games involving both Aston Villa and Bournemouth will also have an effect on the final table.

The interim head coach said that it was good for him and his players to know that the fans are behind them and promised to "give everything" in their final push for survival.

"We know that the fans are right behind us," he said. "We've had some fantastic messages through from the fans, loads of support and we know they're right there with us all the way and we're going to try to put a performance in for them and to win the game and get a positive result for the town. It's something we're definitely aware of. 

"[My message] would just be to say that we're going to go out there and give everything we've got. We're going to leave everything on the pitch and we know that they're going to be there with us and they'll be willing us on and their support is much appreciated."

Ahead of the match, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his team has an obligation to the Premier League to field as strong a side as possible and to try and win the match, something which Mullins is fully expecting them to do.

However, with it being the last game of the season and with the Gunners preparing for the FA Cup final next weekend, Mullins believes there is every chance of an upset.

While he knows he cannot go into the match simply hoping for Arsenal's mind to be elsewhere, he understands it could be a factor in how they set up.

"It might be a way that they're thinking. We can only prepare for what we can prepare for and that's to get ourselves in the right frame of mind to try and get a result," he said. 

"We can't really think about different permutations or try and set up for that, we've got to try and get ready for what we need to do. 

"[Arteta]'s a professional man, they're professional players, he's got a fantastic squad he can pick from as well. Whatever changes he does make, I'm sure they'll be a good side. We're expecting a tough game, I don't think we'd expect anything different in the Premier League, we're not expecting an easy game. We're expecting a tough game from a good side who play some good football. It'll be a good game. 

"When it comes down to the last game of the season, you know different things may change on the day. You know that going into the game, you might need a result and you know that the main thing you take out of it is how you set up as a team and what you do on the pitch remains vital because if you play well as a team and you carry out the right jobs, I'm sure you'll get the right result."