Watford 0-3 Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez three-goal for Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring against Watford in the Premier LeagueThree goals in a 12-minute second-half spell handed Arsenal a 3-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road, sending them back to second place in the Premier League table.

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring on 62 minutes - his 10th goal in his last six games for club and country - after good work from Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla in a rapid Arsenal counter-attack.

Germany international Ozil turned provider again four minutes later, cutting back for Olivier Giroud to double the Gunners' advantage.Aaron Ramsey made it three on 74 minutes, guiding home via a deflection after a break from Hector Bellerin. The right-back surged into the box and set up Ramsey, who capped a brilliant week for Wales and Arsenal with his first goal of the Premier League season.

The win sees the Gunners rise to second place, two points behind league leaders Manchester City, while Watford sit 14th with 10 points from their opening nine Premier League games.

Ramsey squandered Arsenal's best chance of the first-half on 27 minutes, scooping over from four yards after a pinpoint cross from Sanchez.

Sanchez celebrates with team-mates after scoring the first goal against Watford.

It marked the start of a frantic few minutes, as moments later Odion Ighalo panicked in front of goal after he was set clear.

The Watford striker, who has scored five of Watford's six Premier League goals this season, was bearing down on Petr Cech but side-footed wide from eight yards under pressure from Nacho Monreal.Sanchez was bright throughout, testing Heurelho Gomes with a stinging 25-yard strike inside the first five minutes, but Etienne Capoue and Ben Watson were coping with Ozil's threat well in an even first 45 minutes.

Both sides had opportunities as the half wore on, as first Troy Deeney broke clear only to let down Ighalo with a poor final ball, before Bellerin burst past Nathan Ake after linking-up with Ramsey, but the right-back failed to pick out an unmarked Monreal at the back post.Sanchez and Troy Deeney compete for the ball in the first-half at Vicarage RoadArsenal caught Watford on the counter several times in the second half, and the Hornets fell behind just after the hour mark. Capoue went down on the edge of the Gunners box with Watford committed forward, but the referee was unmoved and Arsenal broke through Cazorla and Ozil.

The Germany midfielder skipped through and was upended in the Watford box by Ake, but Sanchez followed up to sweep past Gomes.The Hornets struggled to react to the opening goal and tired in the second half, with Capoue and Deeney suffering cramp, and substitute Giroud capitalised on more poor defending to put Arsenal two-up on 68 minutes.

Sanchez and Ozil again were involved, as the latter teed up Giroud to help the ball past Gomes with his right foot..

Deeney continued to work selflessly for his side even into the final stages, but the Watford striker has now had the most shots without scoring in the Premier League this season (23).

Player ratings

Watford: Gomes (6), Nyom (5), Prödl (6), Cathcart (6), Ake (5), Capoue (6), Watson (6), Abdi (5), Deeney (6), Anya (6), Ighalo (6)

Subs used: Paredes (6), Ibarbo (6), Berghuis (6)

Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry feel Arsenal have enough quality to mount a genuine title challenge this season

Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry feel Arsenal have enough quality to mount a genuine title challenge this season

Arsenal: Cech (6), Bellerin (7), Mertesacker (6), Koscielny (6), Monreal (6), Coquelin (6), Cazorla (6), Ozil (7), Alexis (7), Ramsey (7), Walcott (6)

Subs used: Arteta (6), Oxlade-Chamberlain (6), Giroud (7)

Man of the match: Alexis Sanchez