Mikel Arteta hints at Emile Smith Rowe return against Watford

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has seemingly confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe will be back for Sunday's Premier League showdown against Watford.

The 21-year-old missed last week's 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers after contracting an unspecified illness, with subsequent reports claiming that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

However, Smith Rowe was pictured in training at the Emirates this week and is set to return at Vicarage Road, but uncertainty lingers over Takehiro Tomiyasu due to his calf problem.

"Same place as last week. We still have the doubt with Tomiyasu, the rest I think they're all there," Arteta told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

Smith Rowe's nine Premier League goals sees him top the Gunners scoring charts this season, and the England international would become the first Gunners player aged 21 or under to score 10 Premier League goals in a season since Nicolas Anelka should he net against Watford.

Arsenal - who remain sixth in the table but just two points off the Champions League spots with three games in hand - will also be out to maintain their 100% Premier League goalscoring record against Watford in Sunday's game.