Watford fought back from two goals down at half-time to draw at home to Arsenal in Quique Sanchez Flores’ first match since being reappointed Hornets’ manager.
They levelled the scores when Roberto Pereyra rolled in a late penalty after Tom Cleverley had reduced the deficit when Gunners defender Sokratis gave away possession inside his own area, to take only their second point of the season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had put the visitors in front with aplomb as he collected Sead Kolasinac’s pass on the turn before firing past Ben Foster.
Arsenal doubled their lead as Aubemeyang finished a sweeping team move but the hosts improved after the break as the Gunners unravelled in front of the vociferous home support.
The Hornets welcomed the returning Sanchez Flores with a bright start as Cleverley forced Bernd Leno into an early save.
And they had their chances to complete a stunning comeback with a decisive third, but the otherwise impressive Gerard Deulofeu dragged his effort narrowly wide.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Watford
Substitutes
Arsenal
Substitutes
Match Stats
Live Text
Match ends, Watford 2, Arsenal 2.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Watford 2, Arsenal 2.
Foul by Tom Cleverley (Watford).
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tom Cleverley (Watford).
Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ismaila Sarr.
Booking
Etienne Capoue (Watford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Etienne Capoue (Watford).
Joe Willock (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Tom Cleverley (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Gerard Deulofeu.
Attempt blocked. Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kiko Femenía.
Foul by Roberto Pereyra (Watford).
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Christian Kabasele (Watford).
Joe Willock (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Daryl Janmaat (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gerard Deulofeu following a corner.
Corner, Watford. Conceded by David Luiz.
Attempt blocked. Tom Cleverley (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
Attempt missed. Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Attempt blocked. Tom Cleverley (Watford) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Roberto Pereyra.
Goal!
Goal! Watford 2, Arsenal 2. Roberto Pereyra (Watford) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Penalty Watford. Roberto Pereyra draws a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty conceded by David Luiz (Arsenal) after a foul in the penalty area.
Attempt saved. Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Foul by Tom Cleverley (Watford).
Lucas Torreira (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Daryl Janmaat replaces José Holebas.
Booking
Bernd Leno (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
David Luiz (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tom Cleverley (Watford).
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Sead Kolasinac.
Attempt blocked. Ismaila Sarr (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Gerard Deulofeu (Watford) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Roberto Pereyra.
Attempt saved. Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nicolas Pépé.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal. Reiss Nelson replaces Mesut Özil.
Offside, Watford. Tom Cleverley tries a through ball, but Ismaila Sarr is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Christian Kabasele (Watford) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by José Holebas with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Lucas Torreira.
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