Arsenal driven by Bukayo Saka-Martin Odegaard combination to boost top-four hopes with win at Watford

WATFORD, England — Perhaps it should not be a surprise that the man nicknamed «Little Chilli» is handling the heat. Bukayo Saka scored one and made another as Arsenal claimed a 3-2 win at Watford on Sunday to take another vital step forward in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

The Premier League's top-four race is intensifying with each passing week, yet Saka and Martin Odegaard embodied a freedom of expression that belied the idea that the Gunners are under pressure to deliver at the business end of the season.

Sources have told ESPN that senior figures at Arsenal believe the club is ahead of schedule under Mikel Arteta and had not expected a serious push for Champions League football until next year.

And although it should be remembered Watford are struggling at the wrong end of the table and this was their eighth straight home defeat, Arsenal displayed a desire to seize this unexpected opportunity, revelling in the possibility of returning to Europe's elite competition for the first time in five years.

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There was a joy to their play from the outset and a superb opening goal came in just the fifth minute. Odegaard pirouetted majestically to find Saka on the right before the England international had the presence of mind to cut the ball back for a return pass in the box, which allowed Odegaard to slide a low finish past helpless Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Cucho Hernandez's brilliant 11th-minute bicycle kick drew the hosts level and briefly threatened an upset, only for Saka to underline that his palpable talent is augmented by a fine work ethic. When Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley dallied in possession, Saka won the