Watford vs Arsenal - Watford trio may be forced to wait

Posted Friday, August 26, 2016 by PA

Watford's new signings Daryl Janmaat, Younes Kaboul and Roberto Pereyra are unlikely to start when they host Arsenal on Saturday.

Along with the fit-again Isaac Success they are in contention, but manager Walter Mazzarri is not expected to make many changes to the team that last week lost 2-1 to Chelsea.

He rotated his squad for Tuesday's 2-1 EFL Cup defeat by Gillingham, but the Italian spoke of those selected against Chelsea deserving another chance.

Mazzarri said: "I need to evaluate (the new signings). They have just arrived and I need to be sure they know what they need to do.

"They will be there; I'm not sure if they will start or play later. I want to start from the good things we did against Chelsea. It's nearly impossible all three will start.

"I need to take into consideration the XI who played against Chelsea."

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil could be set for his first start of the season.

The Germany international came off the bench in last weekend's draw at Leicester, but Arsene Wenger, who has eased his players back following their Euro 2016 exertions, has said he could play from the start at Vicarage Road, although Olivier Giroud is unlikely to be recalled.

Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Alex Iwobi (thigh), Per Mertesacker, Danny Welbeck and Carl Jenkinson (all knee) are still missing.

Wenger is ready to add to his squad, with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi and Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez on the verge of signing for the Gunners.

"We are working on the deals. We are not close enough to announce today that they will sign for us, and will we sign anybody before the end of the transfer window? I am 99 per cent confident," he said.

"It was a strange transfer market. I expected it to be easier than ever, but it was more difficult than ever. Not a lot has happened.

"It looks like when you meet other clubs and you have an English passport, you hit these prices which are very difficult to understand compared to the quality of the players.

"It looks like it will be frenetic for me in the last three days. Everybody has sat on their pounds until now. We know they will all splash out now. I expect the next three days to be very, very busy, so be on alert."