Arsenal 2-0 Watford: 'We have a winning mentality under Unai Emery'

Midfielder Alex Iwobi (centre) helped Arsenal to their fifth successive league win

Arsenal have developed a "winning mentality" under new manager Unai Emery, said defender Rob Holding after their seventh successive victory in all competitions.

Emery promised to return Arsenal to the European elite after they finished outside the Premier League top four in their final two seasons under his predecessor Arsene Wenger.

A 2-0 victory over Watford at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, thanks to two goals in the last nine minutes, secured the Gunners' fifth league win in a row.

They no sit fifth in the table, behind fourth-placed north London rivals Tottenham on goal difference.

Holding told Arsenal's website: "He said when he came in that he wanted to bring a winning mentality and I think you get that from wins and you go into each game confident.

"We're physically fit and we know that we can go and get the result."

Watford captain Troy Deeney criticised Arsenal's lack of desire after their 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road last season.

But on Saturday he faced a more committed Arsenal, who prevented Watford from scoring in the league for the first time this season.

Alex Iwobi, introduced midway through the second half, was the catalyst behind Arsenal's win.

The Nigerian's driven low ball from the right resulted in Arsenal's opener, inadvertently turned in by Watford's Craig Cathcart.

Two minutes later Iwobi was involved in a one-two with Alexandre Lacazette, who delivered a low cross for Mesut Ozil to sidefoot home.

With the game goalless, Arsenal substitute keeper Bernd Leno made a great one-handed save to deny Deeney, while Isaac Success fired narrowly wide of the far post.

• Injured Cech 'could be out for three weeks'

Patience pays off for Emery's Arsenal

Lacazette failed to convert when he found himself one-on-one with keeper Ben Foster, but was key to Arsenal's two goals

Is now the right time to make a judgement on the impact of Emery?

Arsenal players are eulogising about the Spaniard, they again look like a team capable of challenging for a top-four spot, while Ozil has rediscovered his scoring touch with three goals in four matches in all competitions.

Emery made two key tactical decisions against Watford, bringing on Iwobi for Aaron Ramsey and sticking by Lacazette in attack.

"Emery is not afraid to make changes," former Gunners defender Martin Keown said on Match of the Day. "His team were resolute and determined and he is finding a way to win."

Ramsey, who looks to be on his way out of the club, shook his head as he was replaced by Iwobi in the 63rd minute. The Wales international failed to influence the game, while Iwobi added pace to midfield to complement the speed of Arsenal's front two on the break.

It was from two swift attacks that Arsenal broke the deadlock. Iwobi first sped down the left before delivering a cross that the unfortunate Cathcart converted under pressure from Lacazette.

Arsenal caught out Watford again moments later, Ozil capping a move that was typical of those created during the pomp of Wenger's reign.

Before the goals, Lacazette was the biggest threat on the pitch, but he wasted two good chances - a one-on-one with keeper Ben Foster and a header over the bar from eight yards.

However, Emery stuck by Lacazette - a £46.5m signing in 2017 - and he played a big part in the two goals.

"When Iwobi came on, he made a real difference," Keown added. "Emery seems to have brought enjoyment back for some of the players and is pushing the club away from the Arsene Wenger era."

• Relive the action from Emirates Stadium

• Reaction from Saturday's Premier League games

Leno keeps cool on league debut

Petr Cech's hamstring injury in first-half stoppage time led to the league debut for £19m summer signing Leno.

The 26-year-old German produced an exceptional low save to deny Deeney and also produced a great block to stop Andre Gray.

Leno might keep hold of the jersey after Emery suggested Cech will be out for two to three weeks.

Success makes impact, but too late for Hornets

Watford began the match with 13 points from their opening six games - and above Arsenal in the table for the first time since 1984.

The outcome could have been different had Deeney and Gray put away their chances.

Nigeria striker Success, who came on in the 72nd minute, also went close.

The 22-year-old, who scored in the League Cup defeat by Tottenham on Wednesday, had a goalbound shot blocked by Holding before his angled strike narrowly drifted past Leno's far post.

Man of the match - Rob Holding (Arsenal)

Six clearances, three interceptions, including a key block to deny Isaac Success, might mean that the defender keeps Sokratis out of the starting XI

'The players are frustrated' - manager quotes

Watford boss Javi Gracia: "I am very upset for my players because they deserved more; a better result.

"We had a very good performance, with more shots, with a lot of clear chances to score. We deserved more. I'm sure the right results (will come).

"We are competing well in all the games. All the players are frustrated because they thought we'd be able to get a good result playing here.

"They have played well but, as in the last games, we feel we deserved more."

Arsenal's second-half strength - the key stats

• Arsenal have won five consecutive Premier League games for the first time since August 2017, when they won six in a row.

• Watford have won only one of their past 15 away league games, drawing two and losing 12.

• Arsenal have registered back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since April last season.

• Since returning to the top flight in 2015-16, Watford have scored seven own goals, more than any current Premier League side.

• Arsenal have scored 10 Premier League goals in the second half this season, the joint highest with Manchester City.

• Leno is the eighth German player to play for Arsenal in the Premier League; only Manchester City have had more Germans play for them in the competition (10).

What's next?

Arsenal are at Azerbaijan club FK Qarabag in the Europa League on Thursday (17:55 BST) and travel to Fulham on Sunday 7 October (12:00).

Watford host Bournemouth next Saturday (15:00).