Arsenal’s Rob Holding says the Gunner set out to prove Troy Deeney wrong in their 3-0 win over Watford yesterday.

Deeney accused Arsenal of a lack of “cojones” in the wake of inspiring a 2-1 comeback win for the Hornets over Arsene Wenger’s men earlier this season.

But it was the Watford skipper’s own bottle which was called into question at the Emirates as he saw a second half penalty saved in a routine win for the home side.

Holding says the manner of the win provided evidence Deeney’s assertion was wide of the mark and says Arsenals players set out to show the Watford number nine what they are made of.

“It (Deeney’s comment) was definitely in the back of our minds,” Holding told the Arsenal website.

“We don’t like coming off the pitch and someone saying that about us. We want to show our fight.

“I think with a clean sheet, they didn’t have a sniff apart from the penalty. We just wanted to prove them wrong and prove to our fans that we are still fighting and we believe.”

Deeney was subjected to goading from the Emirates terraces throughout the clash as Arsenal fans made their feeling towards the Watford forward clear from the outset.

Indeed, Deeney’s penalty miss drew the biggest cheer of the day from the home support and it could be argued the boos which preceded his spot kick got the Deeney.

The 29-year-old has a fine record from the spot and scored from 12 yards against the Gunners earlier in the campaign, but lashed at his effort which arrived at a comfortable height for Petr Cech.