Watford ran out of both steam and ideas as their improved overall performance was not enough to prevent Arsenal from winning 1-0 at the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka had an early goal ruled out, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was denied by Ben Foster from the spot during an aggressive first half display, in which the Hornets defended well as a unit and prevented the hosts from carving out too many clear chances.

However, in the second half the Gunners made the breakthrough via Emile Smith-Rowe shortly before the hour mark, while Juraj Kucka was sent off, meaning Claudio Ranieri will have to wait to take his team out for dinner to celebrate a first clean sheet and Watford’s wait for a first win at the Emirates since 2017 goes on.

The Tinkerman freshened up his defence with William Troost-Ekong, Jeremy Ngakia and Adam Masina all dropping to the bench, to be replaced by Nicolas Nkoulou, who made his first start for the club, Kiko Femenia and Danny Rose, who made his 200th Premier League appearance.

Elsewhere, Ozan Tufan replaced Joao Pedro who was on the bench despite the death of his step-father on Tuesday, while Emmanuel Dennis came in for Cucho Hernandez after returning from suspension.

Watford were given a lucky break early doors after Saka turned the ball into the net after just seven minutes, only for VAR to intervene.

Ismaila Sarr had his pocket picked by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who then clipped a ball into Alexandre Lacazette in the area. The Frenchman’s attempted lob was flicked away by Foster, but only as far as Aubameyang, who helped the ball into the path of Saka, but fortunately for the Hornets, he was stood behind the keeper, with only Femenia providing cover behind him.

From then on they frustrated their hosts and flooded the area every time Arsenal advanced, making it difficult for them to create a clear sight of goal. Albert Sambi Lakonga’s hopeful effort from range was as much as they were able to fashion for a period of about half an hour, before a moment of madness from Rose gave the Gunners the perfect chance to open the scoring.

A deflected effort span high up into the air before landing kindly for Lacazette, who Rose ploughed into, giving Kevin Friend little choice but to point to the spot.

But Foster reacted well to deny Aubameyang and keep the score at 0-0.

The Gunners kept pressing for the opener but again were kept at arm’s length by a Watford team defending well as a unit.

Nuno Tavares headed over from Takehiro Tomiyasu’s delivery from deep, but never really looked like troubling Foster.

At the other end, Kucka had a shot deflected wide after he stole the ball from Lakonga, while Rose couldn’t apply the required finish to a clever short corner routine.

Gabriel had a final opportunity to put the hosts ahead before half time when he climbed highest to attack Saka’s corner, but Foster again was on hand to deny.

The goalkeeper was called on again just two minutes after the restart, with Saka bursting past Rose all too easily. The winger’s cut back found Lacazette, who laid off to Lakonga on the edge of the box, only for his side-footed effort to curl comfortably into Foster’s gloves.

While the Hornets were showing plenty of aggression and willingness to make life difficult for Arsenal’s attackers, the same could not be said at the other end where creativity was obviously lacking.

A rare foray forward saw Moussa Sissoko pick out Dennis at the back post, but he fluffed his effort and Aaron Ramsdale was not troubled.

It was to Watford’s detriment, as they were unable to maintain their intense defensive work and eventually caved shortly before the hour mark.

Kucka’s ball out from the back was pounced upon by Ben White, whose mazy run weaved a route past Sissoko before laying off to Smith-Rowe. The number ten guided the ball into the bottom corner with his instep.

Substitute Martin Odegaard was denied a goal shortly after his arrival with his goal-bound touch turned in at the back post by Aubameyang, who was stood in an offside position. Had he let the ball go in, as it seemed destined to do, the lead would have been doubled.

Smith-Rowe went close to finding a second for the hosts following an attack down the left, but fired over, as Watford's need to push further up the pitch provided Arsenal with more room to attack. 

However, it was the visitors who should have scored before full time, after a late push saw Femenia force Ramsdale to flick a cross clear and Kucka drive a shot at the keeper from range before King missed a golden opportunity with just four minutes left.

A mix up at the back between White and Ramsdale allowed the Norwegian striker to run in behind with the goal untended, but on the tight angle he found the side netting. 

Kucka was given his marching orders with two minutes of the match remaining when his full-blooded tackle on Tavares earned him a second yellow.

Lakonga's effort drew another save from Foster at the beginning of six minutes of stoppage time, with Arsenal unable to make the most of their man advantage to extend their lead.

Team: Foster; Femenia, Nkoulou, Cathcart (Fletcher), Rose; Sissoko, Kucka, Tufan (Pedro); Sarr, Dennis (Hernandez), King
Unused subs: Bachmann, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Cleverley, Masina, Sierralta