Arsenal score three second-half goals to dispatch Watford in a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road in the Premier League's late kickoff.

Troy Deeney had two chances in the first half to give his side the lead, with his first effort from outside the box saved by Petr Cech while he took too much time in the box with his second, allowing the Arsenal defence to steal the ball off his toes.

Aaron Ramsey then had an excellent opportunity to put his team in front after Alexis Sanchez found the midfielder at the back post but he could not squeeze the ball past Heurelho Gomes.

Hornets top scorer Odion Ighalo was then put through on goal just before the break but the Nigerian scuffed a tame shot into the grateful arms of Cech.

Arsenal took the lead in the second half after Sanchez led a counter attack that fell to Mesut Ozil, who was fouled before shooting but the ball fell to the Chilean's feet and he stroked the ball into the back of the net.

The Gunners scored a second five minutes later, with Ozil finding substitute Olivier Giroud in space six yards out and the Frenchman fired his shot into the roof of the goal.

Ramsey then made up for his earlier misses after Hector Bellerin made a marauding run into the Watford box before passing to the Welsh international and Ramsey's deflected effort rolled into the net to make it 3-0.

Giroud had the chance to double his own personal tally from a late corner but Gomes was equal to the Arsenal striker's strong header.

The win lifts Arsene Wenger's men back into second while Watford remain 14th in the Premier League table.