Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League clash between Watford and Arsenal. With Liverpool and Manchester United sharing the spoils earlier today, Arsenal have a chance to close the gap on two of their title rivals, but Watford will also feel that they can make inroads at the top if they can cause a surprise at Vicarage Road. The team news is already out - let's see who Marco Silva and Arsene Wenger have selected.

WATFORD XI: Gomes; Kabasele, Mariappa, Britos; Femenia, Doucoure, Cleverley, Holebas; Pereyra, Gray, Richarlison

WATFORD SUBSTITUTES: Karnezis, Wague, Janmaat, Watson, Capoue, Carrillo, Deeney

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Holding, Coquelin, Wilshere, Ozil, Walcott, Giroud

First of all, let's take a look at the Watford starting lineup with Silva making three alterations to the team which began the game away at West Bromwich Albion. There's a change in formation with the Hornets operating with a back three to match Arsenal's tactics and that has resulted in Miguel Britos being included in place of Etienne Capoue.

A second switch is made further forward with Roberto Pereyra being preferred to Andre Carillo. The Benfica loanee was in South America on Tuesday to represent Peru in their final World Cup qualifier and it has led to Silva looking to freshen up his side. The former Juventus man is making just his second Premier League start of the season.

The third alteration involves Andre Gray, who is given the nod ahead of Troy Deeney. Gray has struggled for goals since signing from Burnley, but his pace will be seen as a more effective attribute than Deeney's aerial power.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Tom Cleverly are the players trusted with the task of winning the midfield battle. Doucoure has already contributed three goals this season but his main job this afternoon is likely to revolve around nullifying the effect of Arsenal's attack.

Let's turn our attention to Arsenal, with the big news being the absence of Alexis Sanchez. Wenger had suggested that he had a decision to make regarding the Chilean attacker, who played 90 minutes for his country against Brazil in midweek, but it is a surprise not to see the 28-year-old involved in the 18-man squad. His place in the team is taken by the returning Danny Welbeck.

In midfield, Aaron Ramsey is absent through injury so Mohamed Elneny is given a rare start in the centre of the park. Francois Coquelin was another option for Wenger but having only just recovered from a hamstring problem, he has to make do with the bench.

In defence, Per Mertesacker has been given the nod over Rob Holding. Wenger may have thought that Deeney would start for Watford, but with his place being taken by Gray, we now have a situation where Gray can potentially outpace the tall German. Laurent Koscielny features on the right-hand side of a three-man backline with Shkodran Mustafi out injured with a thigh injury.

The 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League are about to finish. Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been in action so it goes without saying that Arsenal will be hoping for dropped points. However, has it turned out that way?

RESULTS! It has, to a certain extent. Manchester City have romped to a 7-2 victory over Stoke City, while Tottenham Hotspur have edged out Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium. However, Crystal Palace currently lead Chelsea by a 2-1 scoreline. That could be huge.

The match reports for the games involving Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur can be found by clicking their respective team name.

Palace have also held on to record an absolutely priceless victory at home to Chelsea! That match report can be accessed here.

What does that mean for the Premier League table? Arsenal remain in fifth place, but the Gunners now have the opportunity to move past Chelsea and into fourth position. As for Watford, they can also reach the lofty heights of fourth if they can beat the North Londoners.

Let's get back to the build-up to this game...

Watford have been excellent this season, but their home form still requires a lot of work. In four games in all competitions, the Hornets are yet to win, with their only credible result being a 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season. That was followed by a goalless draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, and a defeat to Bristol City in the EFL Cup.

Their most recent home fixture came all the way back on September 16 and it was a humiliating afternoon for Watford. They were completely outclassed by a rampant Manchester City team, who should have won by more than the six goals that they netted. It highlighted that there are still flaws in Silva's side, but his players deserve huge credit for their response in the following two matches.

A late win away at Swansea City was followed by a comeback draw at West Bromwich Albion. Like against Bournemouth earlier in the season and at home to Liverpool on the opening day, point-earning contributions were made in the final minutes. It's not an over-exaggeration to say that Watford could be close to the relegation zone had games only lasted 80 minutes.

Richarlison has been the man of the moment for Watford. Not many people had heard of the Brazilian winger before his arrival but the 20-year-old has been the club's player of the season so far with three goals from seven appearances. He may relish the chance to run at this Arsenal back three.

Arsenal supporters spent a number of years goading Heurelho Gomes during North London derbies but the former Tottenham Hotspur man has reinvented himself at Watford. Despite reaching the age of 36, the Brazilian continues to perform between the sticks and he will be making his 223rd Premier League appearance this evening. We are sure that he wouldn't mind helping out his former employers.

Watford have made their best ever start to a Premier League season, but they stand to register their worst-run of form at Vicarage Road in the top flight since 1984 should they not win tonight. They are currently six games without a win.

Arsenal are also in danger of entering the record books for the wrong reasons. The Gunners are yet to score away from home in games against Stoke City, Liverpool and Chelsea respectively, and a fourth blank will be their worst run of form in front of goal on the road in league matches since 1936. The last time that was achieved in the same season was 1992.

On a positive note, Arsenal can break a defensive record for the right reasons. A clean sheet today would mean five consecutive shutouts have been registered for the first time since January 2006.

Arsenal are full of matchwinners in their side, so it will probably come as a surprise to you who are leading the assists table. Sead Kolasinac and Granit Xhaka have both set up two goals apiece, with Ozil and Sanchez having just one between them.

As far as goals are concerned, Lacazette and Welbeck have netted all but four of Arsenal's goals in the league. It will inevitably lead to Wenger demanding a higher contribution from the rest of the team. Iwobi has also gotten on the scoresheet meaning that statistically speaking, Wenger has chosen his best three attackers in the Premier League.

Wenger will be delighted that he is able to call upon the services of Koscielny. The French international has kept clean sheets in each of his last five appearances for club and country. That said, I expected him to feature in the centre of a back three - not on the right-hand side. It's an interesting call from Wenger. What a battle it could be between Koscielny and Richarlison.

PREDICTION! Arsenal will be motivated to make up some ground on Liverpool and Manchester United so we are expecting an attacking performance from Wenger's side. Watford are likely to have their chances but Arsenal possess the greater quality in the final third. Arsenal to win 3-1.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's game represents just the 27th meeting between the two teams, with Arsenal claiming 11 wins in comparison to six victories for Watford. In theory, that sounds respectable for Watford, but Arsenal have won eight of the last 10 matches between the two clubs.

Watford have also struggled against the North Londoners at Vicarage Road. Arsenal have won the last five contests in Hertfordshire, with Watford's last success coming in November 1987. On that occasion, they emerged victorious by a 2-0 scoreline.

On a positive note, there has never been a goalless draw between the two teams. That probably means that we are destined for one this evening! The teams are heading out to a warm reception from both sets of supporters.

A reminder of the team news. Watford have made three changes, with Gray among the players to come into the team. Arsenal are without Sanchez, with Ozil only named on the bench.

WATFORD XI: Gomes; Kabasele, Mariappa, Britos; Femenia, Doucoure, Cleverley, Holebas; Pereyra, Gray, Richarlison

ARSENAL XI: Cech; Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette

KICKOFF! Arsenal get us underway at Vicarage Road.

It's been a sharp start from Lacazette, who has already produced two sharp turns close to the halfway line. However, one attempt at a through-ball was poor and straight through to Gomes.

Silva had mentioned in the build-up that Watford would play on the front foot but without the ball, the Hornets are lined up with a bank of nine outfield players in their own half. I think the Portuguese may have been fibbing a little.

It's all been very low key so far. It is still very early days but both clubs are focusing on not making a mistake rather than attempting to show too much ambition.

Arsenal were initially setting the pace with the ball but they are now more than content to watch Watford have the ball on the halfway line. In Welbeck and Lacazette, the visitors have the pace to exploit Watford on the counter-attack.

Gray is already cutting a very lonely figure for Watford. He is being closely marked by Mertesacker with Koscielny in behind to cover. There isn't a teammate in sight.

There's a worry here for the home side, who have Richarlison down after a coming-together with Iwobi. There was nothing sinister in it but Iwobi appeared to stand on his arm or elbow when trying to break away with the ball.

Richarlison is back on with his wrist strapped up. He doesn't look too happy. There will be a couple of minutes of stoppage time at the end of this half.

Arsenal have barely threatened but Kolasinac almost tees up Welbeck for a tap-in after volleying the ball across goal, only for a defender to make a timely interception. This game is still to catch fire.

The visitors possess the greater quality but there is very little to separate these teams so far. I think Watford are still in survival mode but they are comfortably dealing with what the Gunners have to offer.

When Arsenal are missing Ramsey, it is certainly noticeable. Elneny and Xhaka have shown very little ambition to get close to Iwobi and it is partly responsible for Watford being able to handle the Arsenal forward line so easily.

CHANCE! Doucoure finds himself on the left flank after getting in behind Koscielny. He bides his time before blasting the ball across goal but Pereyra glances a difficult header wide.

Slowly but surely, Watford are beginning to control this game. There is still only that half chance for Pereyra but they are making Arsenal do plenty of chasing.

We are a quarter of the way through this match and we have barely seen any action in the final third. It's not as eventful as the Liverpool versus Manchester United match, which is saying something. That said, both managers will be relatively content.

Arsenal are looking for flick-ons from long balls. It doesn't really work with Lacazette as the man furthest forward. Welbeck can't get into the game.

We are seeing flashes of quality from Richarlison but he is yet to reach the standard of previous weeks. He is spending too much time focusing on elaborate flocks rather than doing the simple things.

Much better from Richarlison, who just ran from the halfway line and powered inside with the hope of getting away a shot, only for two Arsenal defenders to hustle him out of the opportunity.

SHOT! Finally, a shot in anger from Arsenal. Elneny decides to get a strike on goal from distance, and the Egyptian's attempt goes marginally over the crossbar.

Koscielny is being caught out of position on the right side of this defence. Watford are yet to exploit it but on more than one occasion, Mertesacker is having to cover. It's not the smartest move by the Frenchman. One through-ball could do for the defence.

Still more of the same from both Watford and Arsenal. This will definitely be in the top 10 for most uneventful half-hours come the end of the season.

Lacazette finds some room inside the Watford penalty area and his chipped pass is on its way to Welbeck to finish from by the penalty spot until Holebas makes a last-gasp intervention.

This is better from Arsenal. Iwobi turns the defender on the byline but he is in two minds whether to cross or to shoot. He ends up doing neither, with the ball being curled into the hands of Gomes.

Watford's build-up play is nice and neat, but Cleverley just crossed the ball from a central position expecting Richarlison to score with a header from 14 yards after leaping above Mertesacker. Cech easily claimed.

Arsenal take the lead from a set piece! An inswinging corner from Xhaka finds Mertesacker who powers the ball past Gomes from close range. Cleverley was given the responsibility of marking the giant defender...

Arsenal sense that Watford are there for the taking now. Men are being ploughed forward in the hope of getting on the end of crosses but a couple of deliveries from the right finish with no end product.

SHOTS! The Gunners are turning on the style. Lacazette sets up Xhaka, who is denied by a solid save from distance, before Welbeck tees up Bellerin, who drags a shot wide from around 14 yards out.

SHOT! Xhaka tries the exact same shot from further out but Gomes is able to catch the ball. Watford need half time.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Silva and the Watford fans are trying to rouse their team but it is to no avail. The Hornets definitely need the break because they are continuing to chase shadows.

The half-time whistle goes at Vicarage Road and Arsenal lead thanks to that header from Mertesacker. It was such a simple goal after a half of football where chances have been few and far between. Cech has not been required to do anything in the Arsenal goal.

The goal came from a corner from Xhaka, who now leads the Arsenal assists table. Mertesacker found himself being marked by Cleverley, but the Watford man may as well not have been there as the German powered his effort into the corner. Gomes had no chance.

In the minutes after that goal, Arsenal dominated. Xhaka saw a curling effort easily saved by Gomes, before Bellerin dragged a left-footed strike wide from inside the penalty area. That was as good as it got for the visitors, but they proved to be much more effective than their hosts.

Pereyra directed a sharp header wide after meeting a Doucoure cross but aside from that, Watford have barely had a sniff of a goal. The ball has been in and around the penalty area on numerous occasions but the final pass has been lacking.

It wouldn't come as a surprise if Silva makes a change at the break. He has plenty of options at his disposal and the Portuguese needs to do something in order to shake up this game.

KICKOFF! Nope. No changes for Watford. Arsenal have got us back underway.

The home side have at least started this half of football on the front foot. They have had a couple of throw-ins down by the corner flag, but both of them came to nothing.

Arsenal have now gotten themselves back on the ball and are wasting little time in spraying passes around in the hope of moving Watford out of defence. The break has probably given the home side a chance to get their shape back because it had been lost before half time.

How greedy is this? Richarlison is able to break forward from the halfway line and he has three teammates to choose from. However, he runs straight at a defender and is dispossessed.

SHOT! This was greedy too, but at least he had reason to be this time. Holebas makes a decoy run to free up space for Richarlison, but the Brazilian can't curl the ball inside the far corner from 20 yards.

Watford fancy this now. More balls are being delivered into the penalty area and only a Koscielny interception prevents Richarlison from firing a volley on goal at the back post.

It's Arsenal who have lost their way now, both in defence and attack. They are struggling to stop Watford building a head of steam while at the other end, the likes of Iwobi and Lacazette have not been able to get control of the ball.

This is fine defending from Holebas. Welbeck looks clear of the wing-back but he somehow managed to make up ground and shield the ball away from the forward so that Gomes can claim.

Changes are imminent for Watford and the same could be said of Arsenal. Welbeck is down injured.

SUBSTITUTION! Welbeck hobbles off with what appears to be a muscle problem. Mesut Ozil is being introduced in his place.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Here come the Watford alterations. Deeney is on for Grat, while Carillo will replace Mariappa. The Hornets are reverting to a back four.

SAVE! Gomes keeps Watford in this game. Ozil is already showing his class and a neat through-ball finds the run of Iwobi, who is prevented from finding the far corner by a finger-tip save by Gomes.

BOOKING! Kabasele has gone into the book for a late challenge on Ozil. Arsenal look a completely different side with the German occupying space in the final third.

Deeney has gone to stand by Mertesacker to add a physical presence in the penalty area but this will suit Mertesacker down to the ground. The German has been terrific this evening.

SUBSTITUTION! A second switch for Arsenal sees Giroud replace Lacazette, who has been poor.

CHANCE! Arsenal should be home and hosed. The ball is slipped through to Ozil and he only has Gomes to beat from 15 yards out. However, the goalkeeper guesses right to deny the German.

PENALTY TO WATFORD! Bellerin is adjudged to have fouled Richarlison in the penalty area but there is barely any contact. Bellerin is fuming.

Deeney makes no mistake from the spot, sending Cech the wrong way. That's his first goal in 14 Premier League matches!

All of a sudden, Watford look the most likely winners! Wenger will be unhappy with the manner of that goal and with the way his team have responded. Watford are pushing for the three points.

SHOT! The ball falls invitingly for Richarlison but his volley is drilled into the side-netting.

Wenger is marching up and down the touchline. He definitely sees this as two points dropped right now but his team have to be careful. Watford are throwing caution to the wind.

There's no doubting that Watford are going for this, but a defensive change is in the offing. Whole play continues, Arsenal just failed to make the most of a break-away, but the ball fell to Monreal on his right foot.

SUBSTITUTION! Watford's final change sees Capoue introduced for Pereyra.

In fairness to Arsenal, they have done a good job over the past few minutes of calming the play down. Elneny is sitting a little deeper and it is giving his teammates a breather. Jack Wilshere is getting ready to come on.

WOODWORK! Watford hit the post! Capoue's deflected effort completely wrong-foots Cech, but the ball ricochets off the post and bounces clear.

SUBSTITUTION! Wenger has changed his mind. Holding is coming on for Koscielny, who appears to be injured.

The pace of the game has slowed the closer we have got to full time, but both teams are still showing enough ambition. Still, it's looking like two points dropped for Arsenal.

SHOT! Carrillo cuts inside from the left flank and has the chance to shoot, but his driven effort is always heading over the crossbar.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

Watford have won it! Unbelievable scenes at Vicarage Road. Two desperate blocks initially kept Watford out but Cleverley was waiting to fire the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

The full-time whistle goes at Vicarage Road and Watford have claimed a stunning win over Arsenal. They had their bit of luck but Silva's men deserve the three points for their performance in the second half. They now sit fourth! Arsenal slip to their first defeat since the end of August.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon.

If you fancy reading our match report from today's game, click here. Goodbye for now.