Arsenal receive major boost as Emery declares Xhaka and Torreira ‘ready’ for Watford clash

UNAI EMERY has given Arsenal fans a huge boost declaring Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira "ready" for Sunday's game at Watford.

The Gunners' Spanish boss was speaking ahead of his side's trip to Vicarage Road where Quique Sanchez Florez will have his second debut as Hornets manager.

And Florez will have his work cut out against his Spanish counterpart after Emery confirmed his midfield pair - who had injury scares during the international break - will be "ready" for the London derby.

The 47-year-old also gave updates on full-backs Hector Bellerin and new signing Kieran Tierney.

He said: "We need to look at the next steps in each training and also decide if they should play with the Under-23s.

"They trained normally with us for the first time this week.

"We also want next week for them to take normal training with us and after that, we can decide."

Young defender Rob Holding also appears close to a return.

Emery said: "Rob earned matches with the U23s. And with more minutes with them he can be closer to give us his performance.

"At the moment we are working with three centre-backs, thinking on Sunday, now four.

"Rob is now the five, [Konstantinos] Mavropanos the sixth."