For the first time this season, Nigeria international Alex Iwobi completed a game for Arsenal in all competitions in their controversial 2-1 loss to Watford at The Vic on Saturday evening.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has cleared the air why the Hale End Academy product wasn't eventually replaced despite leaving the pitch earlier.

''I wanted to take Iwobi off and they told me that Koscielny had to come off because of his calf,''Wenger was quoted as saying by arsenal.com in his post-match comments.

''When I wanted to bring Jack (Wilshere) on for Iwobi, it was our last sub and Koscielny could not go on, so I had to change Koscielny and bring a centre back on. That’s what happened.''

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker overpowered Tom Cleverley and planted a header past goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Troy Deeney equalized for the Golden Boys before Cleverley scored the winning goal in injury time.

Next for Arsenal is a Europa League engagement against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, October 19.

Igho Kingsley