Watford 1 Arsenal 2

Arsenal completed back-to-back league wins for the first time since the autumn to remain third in the Premiership, but for Watford it was another episode in a seemingly ever lengthening list of hard luck stories.

Only the most fervent of Gunners fans would have denied the Golden Boys' claim on the point that would have lifted them off the bottom of the table after a display that combined their trademark battling qualities with some speedy and attractive attacking play, particularly in the first half.

But ultimately it was the extra quality that Arsene Wenger has at his disposal that prevailed.

The visitors had had their chances to wrap up the points before the decisive moment, but a combination of poor finishing and some excellent stops from Ben Foster looked like it would see Watford earn their deserved rewards.

But with the game becoming increasingly stretched, substitute Theo Walcott fed Robin van Persie with a fine pass down the right and the striker pulled Jay DeMerit out of the middle before checking back inside the American and curling home an excellent finish reminiscent of another Dutchman from the north London club.

It was tough on Aidy Boothroyd's men who had played their part in a thoroughly entertaining encounter - the tone for which was set by the end-to-end opening exchanges.

First the excellent Hameur Bouazza warmed Jens Lehmann's palms with a low drive before DeMerit's timely intervention prevented Cesc Fabregas having a clear shooting opportunity in the penalty area.

England keeper Foster was called into action for the first time to keep out van Persie's angled effort following a thrusting Tomas Rosicky run into the left side of the penalty area.

Foster had to be alert again to thwart Fabregas from close range but moments later the on loan Manchester United keeper could only stand and watch as van Persie dragged the shot wide of him and narrowly past the far post after more good play from Rosicky.

But the match changed thanks to a decisive double intervention from Arsenal skipper Gilberto Silva.

With Ashley Young set to pull the trigger, he made a superb potential goalsaving tackle before, within a minute, appearing unmarked at the far post to head home his third goal in as many games after Kolo Toure had flicked on a Rosicky corner.

Watford may have only had one previous top-flight win to their name but had proved time and again they are no soft touches and within four minutes were level.

The equaliser stemmed from a storming run down the left from Bouazza who left Toure trailing in his wake before his low cross deflected off Justin Hoyte towards the near post which Tommy Smith attacked and calmly steered a left-footed finish low to Lehmann's right.

Watford stuck to their task after the break but struggled to recreate the chances they had enjoyed in the opening period, particularly after losing Bouazza with a suspected dislocated shoulder with 20 minutes left.

By contrast, Arsenal had the greater share of the opportunities but their finishing continued to let them down and when it didn't they were unable to find a way past the in-form Foster until van Persie did just that with seven minutes remaining.

Golden Boys man of the match: Tight call, but Adrian Mariappa for a really composed performance, just ahead of Ben Foster who made several outstanding saves.