Team News: Thomas Partey absent for Arsenal against Watford

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has not made the cut for the Gunners' Premier League clash with Watford due to injury.

The Ghana international has struggled to stay fit for large portions of his Arsenal stint but has begun to establish himself as a key player under Mikel Arteta this term.

However, Arteta has opted for a two-man midfield of Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ainsley Maitland-Niles against Watford, with Partey not in the squad.

Arsenal subsequently revealed that the former Atletico Madrid man was nursing a tight groin, joining Granit Xhaka on the sidelines as Kieran Tierney makes his return to the matchday squad.

There are no further surprises in the Arsenal setup, with Nuno Tavares holding his place at left-back while Tierney builds up his fitness and Aaron Ramsdale making another start in goal.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang once again form a two-man strikeforce, with the latter aiming to build on a record of six goals from five Premier League appearances against Watford.

Arsenal starting lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares; Saka, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang, Lacazette