Premier League, Vicarage Road: Watford 0Arsenal (Sanchez 62, Giroud 68, Ramsey 74)
Arsenal scored three goals in a devastating 12 minute period to sweep Watford aside to go second in the Premier League.
In a compelling but goalless first half, Watford's best chances fell to Troy Deeney, but the striker was unable to take advantage to break his Premier League duck.
Arsenal's best chance of the half fell to Aaron Ramsey, who put the ball over the bar from close range after the superbAlexis Sanchez had picked him out with a cross to the far post.
The Gunners stepped it up a gear in the second half, taking the lead through Sanchez, who fired a loose ball into the roof of the net from close range after Mesut Ozil had been brought down by Nathan Ake.
Olivier Giroud came off the bench to double Arsenal's lead, putting the ball in off the underside of the bar from Ramsey's cut back.
Ramsey, whose performance merited a goal, got it late on, tucking the ball in after Hector Bellerin's strong run and cross alllowed the Welshman to score his first goal in 12 games with a deflected effort.
KEY MOMENTS
10' CHANCE! Alexis Sanchez drops the shoulder 25 yards out and unleashes a dipping thunderbolt that Gomes, rather awkwardly, bats away. Amazing power generated on that shot by the Chilean.
11' CHANCE! Deeney goes close for Watford! The striker dispossesses Bellerin and drills a low shot at goal, but Cech is alert and turns the ball around his post for a Watford corner.
20' CHANCE! Capoue does very well to shake off two Arsenal players before releasing Deeney down the left, the striker does the right thing as he tries to put the ball across to Ighalo - but Koscielny makes a vital interception.
29' CHANCE! Real chance for Arsenal as Sanchez picks out Ramsey at the far post with a superb cross from the left, but Ramsey puts is over the bar from close range under pressure from Gomes.
45' CHANCE! A delightful reverse pass by Ozil picks out Ramsey, but the Welshman blazes just over.
62' PENALTY? Watford claim a penalty as Capoue is brought down - nothing given.
62' GOAL! Watford 0-1 Arsenal: Sanchez scores! Cazorlathreads the ball through to Ozil, who is fouled by Ake - but Sanchez strokes the loose ball in and the Gunners lead.
68' GOAL! Watford 0-1 Arsenal: Sanchez scores! Cazorla threads the ball through to Ozil, who is fouled by Ake - but Sanchez strokes the loose ball in and the Gunners lead.
74' GOAL! Watford 0-3 Arsenal: Aarom Ramsey ends his drought to seal the win for the Gunners. Bellerin makes it with a strong run, skipping past Ake and teeing up Ramsey, whose shot deflects under the body of Gomes.
KEY STATS
Watford have never won a Premier League game in the month of October.
Alexis Sanchez has now scored in six consecutive games for club and country, netting 10 games in total.
Aaron Ramsey scored his first Premier League goal of the season with what was his 27th shot (includng blocked).
TALKING POINT
Will Ramsey's goal kick start his season? The Welshman is at his best when he's getting into dangerous positions, and Arsenal benefitted from his willingness to get forward. His first goal in 12 Premier League games was much needed for a player who tends to score his goal in clusters.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal): A real livewire and in the form of his life right now. Another goal, but his overall contribution was outstanding yet again as he played a part in everything positive about Arsenal's second half display.
PLAYER RATINGS
Watford: Gomes 6, Nyom 6, Prodl 6, Cathcart 6, Ake 5, Capoue 7, Watson 6, Abdi 6, Deeney 6, Anya 7, Ighalo 6. Subs:
Arsenal: Cech 7, Bellerin 7, Koscielny 7, Mertesacker 7,Monreal 7, Coquelin 7, Cazorla 7, Ramsey 8, Ozil 7, Sanchez 8, Walcott 7. Subs:
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