Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this Premier League clash between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road. Both teams go into this one still looking for their first win of the season having managed to amass just one point from their opening two games of the campaign, so there is already plenty riding on this game. Before we get into that, though, let's take a look at the two teams...

WATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Kaboul, Prödl, Kabasele; Amrabat, Guedioura, Capoue, Behrami, Holebas; Deeney, Ighalo

WATFORD SUBS: Pantilimon, Janmaat, Zuniga, Watson, Success, Sinclair, Pereyra

ARSENAL STARTING XI: Cech; Bellerin, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Alexis

ARSENAL SUBS: Ospina, Gibbs, Chambers, Wilshere, Coquelin, Elneny, Giroud

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, as far as Watford are concerned, the biggest questions were surrounding how many of their new signings would be handed full debuts. The answer is just the one, with Younes Kaboul coming into the back three following his move from Sunderland. Indeed, Prodl is the only one of the back three to keep their place, with Kabasele also being handed a start while Cathcart and Britos miss out.

As far as the other new arrivals are concerned, Janmaat, Success and club-record signing Pereyra all have to make do with a place on the bench, although it is likely that we will see at least one of them in a Watford shirt for the first time later in the game. Sinclair is also included amongst the subs in a largely revamped squad from last season. There are still plenty of familiar names in the starting lineup, though - not least Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo leading the line together once again.

Mazzarri said in the build-up to this match that he wanted to keep many of the same players that started against Chelsea last weekend, and he has stuck to his word in that respect. Aside from the two changes in defence, it is the same lineup that was narrowly beaten by a couple of late Chelsea goals at Vicarage Road. Gomes, as ever, is in goal, while the likes of Guedioura, Behrami and Holebas seem to have nailed down a regular starting spot having been in and out of the team at times last term.

The goalscoring burden last season was perhaps too far over to Deeney and Ighalo, but it is Etienne Capoue who has taken on the mantle in the early stages of this season. The midfielder has scored in both Premier League games for the Hornets so far, and another this afternoon would make his the first Watford player to ever score in the first three games of a top-flight campaign. If they can add a regular goalscoring threat from midfield to those front two then it could be a winning formula for Mazzarri.

As for Arsenal, they continue to edge back towards a full-strength side as players continue to return from Euro 2016 duty, and the main headline from their selection this afternoon is a first start of the season for Mesut Ozil. The playmaker helped Germany to the semi-finals of the Euros and came off the bench against Leicester last weekend, but he is now deemed fit enough to start and replaces Coquelin in the starting lineup, with Cazorla dropping into a deeper role.

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There is still no place in the starting XI for Olivier Giroud, although the striker does make the bench today. Instead, Alexis Sanchez will once again lead the line having done so in both league games so far this season. The Chilean is yet to score in that position this term, but Wenger has suggested that he has the attributes to succeed in a more central role so we could see him playing there a little more often, even when Giroud returns to full fitness.

The inclusion of Ozil for Coquelin is the only change to Arsenal's side from last weekend's draw with Leicester as both Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain keep their places. Both found the back of the net in the opening game against Liverpool, but it is fair to say that neither have quite fulfilled their potential at the club just yet. It has been the case for a number of years now, but this is a big season for both of them, particularly Walcott, who had one or two links away from the Emirates after he was left out of England's Euro 2016 squad.

Arsenal's only major summer signing so far, Granit Xhaka, once again starts in a holding role, in front of a defence that has been severely depleted by injuries. However, the return of Koscielny against Leicester make them look a lot more solid, and Wenger has kept faith with the same back four this weekend. That means another start for Rob Holding, while Chambers - who also scored against Liverpool - has to make do with a place on the bench.

It is still not a full-strength defence with Mertesacker and Gabriel sidelined, though, and Watford will look to take advantage of that today. This is arguably a very good time to play the Gunners, who already have a lot of pressure on their shoulders, so Mazzarri will be hopeful of pouring more misery on the early stages of their campaign. In fairness, Watford's one-point tally doesn't really do them justice at this stage of the season, and their performances so far will make them confident that they can get something out of this game.

Their season could not have started much better as Capoue gave them the lead after just nine minutes at St Mary's. Nathan Redmond responded with a equaliser just before the hour mark, though, and in the end Watford will have gladly taken a point from that one after seeing Watson sent off in the second half. The Hornets were looking fairly good against Chelsea last weekend too, with Capoue once again giving them the lead, but the Blues scored twice in the final 10 minutes to nick another late victory.

There was enough in that Chelsea performance to give Watford hope that they can enjoy another decent season, although their midweek performance in the EFL Cup would have done little to boost morale. Grawn against Gillingham at home, most were expecting a fairly routine passage into the third round, and after Ighalo had finally broken the deadlock in the 57th minute it appeared as though that might be the case. However, Byrne's late goal rescued extra time for the visitors and Dack, who had earlier missed a penalty, sealed the win in the additional 30 minutes to produce an early shock. The result left Mazzarri furious, and he will be expecting a response today.

You may have noticed a common theme in their three games this season, and it is not a good habit for a team to pick up. Watford have taken the lead in all three of their competitive matches under Walter Mazzarri, but have proceeded to draw one and lose two. The first goal is always important in football, but if you can't hold on to a lead then it is going to be a big ask to get enough points to keep themselves safe this season. Mazzarri needs to get his players to protect their leads better.

The concern for Watford, even at this early stage of the season, is that the vast majority of their points last term came before Christmas. They had all but secured Premier League survival by the festive period, and at one point were even up there with the Champions League places, which allowed them to have a disappointing second half of the campaign but not worry about relegation. A poor start this time around could see them scrapping from the beginning, which is always tougher to do.

Having said that, their start to last season was not particularly inspiring either. They were winless in their first four games, picking up just three points, before going on to record their highest ever Premier League points tally. It is their form in the second half of last season which will be the main worry heading into the new campaign, though, even with a new manager in charge. Watford have only won four of their 23 Premier League games since Christmas and are winless in five since victory over Aston Villa in April. So far this season, they have recorded the fewest shots on target (3), shots overall (11) and number of touches in the opposition box (20) in the Premier League.

After the defeat to Chelsea last weekend, Watford have now won just two of their last 11 home Premier League games, and those victories came against Newcastle and Aston Villa, who both went on to be relegated last season. Only two teams last season scored fewer goals in front of their own fans, with just 20 from their 19 games, although on the flip side they also conceded just 19 at Vicarage Road - a tally only four teams could better.

With Mazzarri in charge, Watford will be hoping that defensive record improves further still, so it won't be easy for Arsenal to break them down today. All of the pressure is on the Gunners too, despite these two sides having the same amount of points after two games. It took just 90 minutes for the Arsenal boo-boys to come out this season, with the team jeered off after the final whistle of their opening-weekend defeat to Liverpool, and the atmosphere is still fairly tense.

In truth, the feeling of discontent amongst Arsenal fans has been growing for a number of years now, and the club have done little to quieten them down. Their best Premier League finish in over a decade last season looks good on paper, but it was still a disappointing campaign that saw them never really challenge Leicester as they missed a golden opportunity to break their title duck. Since then, all the main rivals have strengthened their squads, but Arsenal have been frustratingly quiet in the transfer window.

The early purchase of Granit Xhaka proved to be a false dawn, with Holding the only other arrival since then, must to the chagrin of the supporters. Wenger does now look set to splash the case in the final days of the window, with Shkodran Mustafi's protracted transfer nearing completion and Lucas Perez set to arrive from Deportivo. Those two purchases would take Arsenal's summer spending to more than £80m, which may silence many who claim the club are afraid of dishing out big sums.

Even those two purchases have a distinct touch of Arsenal to them, though. Mustafi has been linked with a club for weeks now, but the transfer negotiations have gone back and forth until, it seems, Arsenal have finally given in to their desperation for defensive reinforcements. Lucas, meanwhile, was reportedly turned down by Arsenal just a week before they re-entered the race and pipped Everton to his signature. Even so, the Spaniard appears to be a third-choice target at best for Arsenal this summer having missed out on Vardy and Lacazette already.

Of course, Arsenal haven't been helped by injuries, but if anything they have cruelly exposed the relative lack of depth Wenger has at his disposal. Fans have been begging for a new defender and a new striker for a number of years now, and these two potential new arrivals may not quite live up to the big-name signings many were hoping for. When you compare Arsenal's transfer business to the two Manchester clubs, it is easy to see why the fans have grown so frustrated.

Arsenal have always managed to get a top-four place during Wenger's time at the club, but this is likely to be the most competitive season yet, and it comes in the final year of Wenger's contract. A Champions League place is surely the bare minimum for Wenger to earn another extension, but he won't be too worried about his side's start yet. It has been a difficult opening two games against Liverpool and Leicester, and the last time they had one point at this stage of the season, they went on to finish third. That came in 2011-12, when they still had one point after three games of the campaign.

The Gunners come into this match unbeaten away from home in the Premier League since February, when they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford. That defeat is their only one in 10 league away games so far in 2016 - the fewest losses of any Premier League side - but the majority of those have ended in draws, with only two wins. Another draw this afternoon would see them equal their club record of five consecutive away draws, set in 1948.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Vicarage Road, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both sides will be desperate for that first win of the season today, but more of the pressure is on Arsenal for sure. Watford actually played well in their defeat to Chelsea, and they could match another one of the big boys today. Arsenal aren't firing on all cylinders yet, so I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.

That result would be a small slice of history for Watford, who have never avoided defeat against the Gunners in a Premier League match. They have lost all six of their previous meetings in this competition, last picking up a league victory over Arsenal in 1988, when Rick Holden got the only goal of the game.

Indeed, Arsenal have won seven of their last eight meetings with the Hornets in all competitions, although the one exception in that time did come last season. Watford picked up their first win against Arsenal for 28 years with a 2-1 triumph in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, with Ighalo and Guedioura on the scoresheet before Welbeck's late consolation.

These two have met since that victory, though, and Arsenal gained a measure of revenge by sweeping Watford aside in a 4-0 drubbing that saw Sanchez, Iwobi, Bellerin and Walcott all get on the scoresheet. Sanchez also scored in the corresponding fixture last term, along with Giroud and Ramsey, as Arsenal picked up a 3-0 win that flattered them a little.

Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff now! The players are out and we're just about ready to go as these two clubs look for their first wins of the new campaign.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! We're underway at Vicarage Road!

Kaboul bundles in to Sanchez on the left side of the field, and Arsenal have a free kick in a good crossing position early on here...

Cazorla whips it in, but it fails to beat the first man as Ighalo deals with the danger.

Arsenal, as expected, have seen more of the ball in these opening exchanges, but it is all coming in front of the Watford defence so far. Nothing to report in terms of early chances.

Arsenal have the start they wanted as Santi Cazorla gives them the lead after just 10 minutes. The penalty was awarded when Ozil clipped a lofted pass in to the middle towards Sanchez, who was clattered into by Amrabat before he could do anything with the pass. The replays show that Amrabat got nowhere near the ball and caught Sanchez on the side of his head with an elbow, so referee Kevin Friend is right to point to the spot. From there, Cazorla calmly puts it down the middle to give his side the lead.

Arsenal quickly get back on the front foot once again, but Watford hold them out this time and Ighalo does really well to skip away from a number of defenders and take the pressure off his side. Biggest cheer of the day so far from the Watford fans.

Watford have responded fairly well to going behind. They didn't see much of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, but are looking more likely to break forward when they do get it since falling behind.

YELLOW CARD! Prodl goes into the book for a challenge on Walcott, but the defender was put in a difficult position by Kaboul. The debutant sold his defensive partner short with a pass and Walcott nipped in, only to then be brought down.

Arsenal are looking pretty sharp here, both on and off the ball. Watford have enjoyed more possession since the opening goal, but they haven't been able to do anything with it. Arsenal are pressing well and forcing Watford into a number of hopeful long balls.

The visitors have got a good grip over this game nice and early. They are looking comfortable and in control as we approach the halfway stage of the first half, with Cech completely untroubled in the Arsenal goal so far.

Not many players would be able to pull off this party trick. Cazorla goes to take a corner and initially looks set to put an outswinger into the box with his right foot. However, Koscielny gets his attention and Cazorla switches to his left to put an inswinger in.

CHANCE! Big chance for Arsenal to get a second as Sanchez squeezes a pass across the face of goal that Walcott does well to meet at the back post. He does even better to get his shot on target, but Gomes is there to make a big save.

SAVE! Cech is finally called into action for the first time, and it is a very smart save from the keeper. Amrabat swings a good cross into the box and Koscielny, when trying to clear the danger, diverts it at pace towards his own goal. Cech reacts well to make the save, before moments later Deeney pokes an effort wide at the front post having got across his man.

It's been much better from Watford in the last couple of moments. That near own goal from Koscielny seems to have sparked them into life a bit and they are starting to get back into this one.

A cross from the right flank threatens to loop over Cech, who had started to come out in anticipation of the ball arriving in the box. The Arsenal keeper is relieved to see it land on the roof of his net.

Suddenly this is a good, even battle between these two sides, and Arsenal may live to regret not making more of their time on top. They didn't have many chances in truth, but they are certainly not as in control of this one now.

Almost a few chances for Watford in quick succession as Deeney and Ighalo combine in the box. However, the captain can't get a shot away and Arsenal rather frantically manage to prevent Behrami having a dig moments later too.

Holebas breaks into space down the left flank and tries to go for goal, but he drags it horribly and the ball is cleared. Watford are quickly back on the attack, though, and Koscielny needs to make an important interception to deal with Deeney's cross.

CHANCE! Good chance for the home side as Kabasele is left in a bit of space from a corner. Capoue picks the Premier League debutant out, but Kabasele glances his header narrowly wide when he should have done better.

CHANCE! Brilliant football from Arsenal as Sanchez skips away from his marker and moves inside before exchanging passes with Ozil on his way into the box. The angle is against Sanchez, though, and Gomes is able to make the save.

The Watford fans are not happy as Amrabat looks to have skipped past Koscielny on the byline, only to be penalised for pulling the defender's shirt. The officials get some stick for the decision, but it was the right one.

Decent football from Arsenal again down the left flank as Sanchez feeds a pass in for Ozil down the channel. The German tries to dig a cross out, but Gomes is there to collect it at the front post.

Arsenal double their lead with just five minutes left before half time! They break forward down the middle, with Bellerin making a rare surge forward before playing the ball out wide for Walcott. The winger feeds a brilliant low cross into the middle which Sanchez reaches at the back post, although he doesn't catch his finish perfectly. As it turns out, though, it was probably the best thing he could have done as his mis-hit effort loops over the line and, after a brief moment, Kevin Friend confirms that it went in.

It is a long way back for Watford now. They have improved as the first half has worn on, but Cech's main action so far has come from Koscielny's attempted clearance. The hosts certainly haven't looked like scoring twice today.

Arsenal are back in control of this one following that second goal. They are knocking the ball around nicely and Watford will be happy to simply get to half time without further damage here.

CHANCE! Arsenal almost inflict that damage as Xhaka pings a long ball over the top for Walcott to race on to. He again does well to direct his shot on target from a tight angle, and it takes a fine reaction stop from Gomes to keep the deficit at two.

There will be just one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

Game over? Arsenal get a third right on the stroke of half time, and it is a lovely goal to put them in complete command. Sanchez picks the ball up on the left flank and bides his time in possession, looking for an option. Ozil provides it with a surge into the box, storming past a number of statuesque yellow shirts before glancing a header home.

Kevin Friend brings an end to the first half at Vicarage Road, and it is Arsenal who are in complete control at the interval. They lead Watford 3-0 after a first half that saw them on top for long spells, and it would take a major turnaround in fortunes for the Hornets to get back into this one.

The first goal came after just 10 minutes when Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Amrabat had clattered into Sanchez when trying to defend Ozil's clipped cross into the middle. The referee took his time to award the penalty, but made the right decision in the end and Cazorla proceeded to put his spot kick down the middle.

The second arrived five minutes before half time, and it was Sanchez who opened his account for the season. It was a rather scruffy finish from the Chilean, but in the end he did exactly what he needed to do to squeeze it over the line. Walcott provided the cross with a fine low delivery which Prodl was afraid to cut out in case he put it into his own net, and Sanchez's mis-hit finish at the back post looped over the covering defenders and in.

Two quickly became three right on the stroke of half time as Arsenal put the game to bed, with Sanchez turning provider this time. The forward was given time to pick out a cross from the left flank, and Ozil provided the run past a number of ball-watching defenders before glancing his header in.

It could have been even better for Arsenal, but Gomes has kept the score down with saves from Walcott and Sanchez. As far as Watford are concerned, they have only really created one good chance, when Kabasele nodded wide from a corner. Cech has only been called into one decent save, and that was to keep out Koscielny as he turned the ball towards his own goal.

KICKOFF: We're back underway at Vicarage Road, and the hosts have made a change at the break with club-record signing Roberto Pereyra replacing Guedioura.

YELLOW CARD! Confirmation that Ighalo was booked in the aftermath of that third goal for showing dissent towards the referee.

Watford aren't helping themselves here. They keep giving the ball away, with is only inviting more pressure. Cazorla slides a pass to Walcott, who fires a low ball across the face of goal which no-one can get on the end of.

It will be interesting to see how Arsenal approach this second half. They have this match pretty much won already, but this could be a good chance for them to get more goals on the board. That, coupled with the impending new arrivals, would really change the feel around the club.

WATFORD SUB: Another change from the hosts, and another debut as Daryl Janmaat replaces Kabasele.

Brilliant from Bellerin as he bursts down the right flank before turning Kaboul inside out in the area. He fires a cross into the box, but Sanchez just can't get on the end of it.

SAVE! Better from Watford coming forward as Amrabat cuts inside before finding Capoue, who lets fly from range. It is a decent strike, but Cech comfortably collects it.

Are Watford back in this one? Pereyra makes the difference off the bench by pulling a goal back for his new side. Another debut, Janmaat, was involved as Arsenal failed to clear his cross into the box. Capoue came onto the ball and saw his shot blocked, and Pereyra beats a sleeping Xhaka to the loose ball. Everyone else is appealing for a penalty, but Pereyra keeps his composure to curl his finish in the bottom corner.

It is still a long way back for the hosts, but they are looking a lot better after their subs. They have edged the possession in this second half and one more goal would make things very interesting.

YELLOW CARD! Deeney goes into the book for a challenge on Monreal as he went to block a clearance, but caught the full-back.

SHOT! Good sweeping move from Arsenal as they look to restore their three-goal lead. The ball comes to Walcott just outside the area and he sees Gomes off his line before going for a chip. He doesn't get it right, though, and the ball flies over the top.

Kevin Friend is dishing out a few warnings to Watford here as they look to chase down a second goal that will get them right back into this match. The ref had a word with Walter Mazzarri a few moments ago, and has just called Deeney over for a chat too.

Scrappy period of the game as the referee awards free kick after free kick, which breaks the game up. It is not usually what Arsenal are good at, but it suits them with their lead.

SHOT! Arsenal break really quickly here as Bellerin races out of defence before poking the ball through for Oxlade-Chamberlain. He, like Walcott, sees Gomes off his line and goes for a lob but, also like Walcott, he puts too much on it.

SAVES! Really important goalkeeping from Cech here! The ball drops to Holebas just outside the area and he fires an effort towards the top corner that Cech is at full stretch to save. He can only parry it to Ighalo, but then recovers in time to keep out the follow-up effort.

ARSENAL SUBS: Double change from Arsenal with 20 minutes to go as Jack Wilshere and Mohamed Elneny replace Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain.

CHANCE! Watford are close to getting within one goal in spectacular fashion here! Arsenal fail to deal with a ball into the box, which is flicked on by Bellerin at the front post. Ighalo adjusts his body and pulls off a superb bicycle kick which flies narrowly over.

ARSENAL SUB: Monreal went down after that Ighalo bicycle kick, and he will not be able to continue here. He limps off to be replaced by Kieran Gibbs.

YELLOW CARD! Amrabat tries to be a little cheeky here as he commits a foul that Friend wants to book him for, only to then see his number come up on the board to be subbed off. He runs off the field before Friend can brandish the card, but he doesn't get away with it.

WATFORD SUB: The sub does eventually take place, though, as Isaac Success replaces Amrabat.

CHANCE! Almost an immediate impact from Success as he works a yard to get on the end of a corner. He plants his header towards goal, but it is too close to Cech.

SAVE! Another stop for Cech to make, but this one is comfortable as he falls on Ighalo's tame shot. That was a little selfish from the Watford man, who had teammates in support.

Success has showed a few bright signs already during his short cameo so far. He again breaks forward down the left flank here, but the attack eventually comes to nothing.

Decent chance for Behrami as Ighalo does really well at the back post to hook an overhit cross back in. Pereyra gets to the loose ball and sends it into the path of Behrami, who drags his shot wide.

YELLOW CARD! Behrami follows that mis-hit up with a yellow card for a challenge on Walcott.

Time is running out for Watford now, but this second half has been a lot better than the first. Those are the positives for Mazzarri, but this game was effectively over by half time.

SAVE! Good goalkeeping from Gomes as Kaboul gets himself in a knot and gifts possession to Sanchez in a dangerous area. The Chilean has support but chooses to go alone, trying to lift his shot over Gomes, who makes a flying save to keep it out.

YELLOW CARD! Holebas is the latest Watford player to go in the book today - that is six now for the hosts.

There will be five minutes of added time at the end of this match, although Wenger is not quite sure where they have come from.

YELLOW CARD! The biggest cheer of the day greets a yellow card for Jack Wilshere, with these fans feeling as though they have been hard done by here.

Kevin Friend brings an end to proceedings at Vicarage Road, and despite a vast improvement from Watford in that second half it is Arsenal who hold on for their first win of the new season. In truth, they had done their job by half time, but there were still a few nervy moments after the interval and a second goal for Watford would have made it very interesting indeed.

That second goal never arrived, though, with Roberto Pereyra's debut strike all Watford could come up with in reply to Arsenal's first-half dominance. Santi Cazorla opened the scoring from the penalty spot inside 10 minutes after Sanchez had been fouled by Amrabat, and Sanchez got his own name on the scoresheet to double the lead five minutes before half time. The Chilean then turned provider for the third goal in first-half stoppage time, sending in a cross that Ozil glanced home to seal the win.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match, which saw Arsenal pick up their first win of the campaign at the expense of Watford. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. There is also more live football in the late kickoff between Hull and Manchester United, and you can find live coverage of that by clicking here. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!