Jack Wilshere has hit back at Troy Deeney’s scathing assessment of Arsenal by insisting "nobody can question our character".
Deeney claimed last weekend in the aftermath of Watford’s 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road that the Gunners lack “cojones” and could be physically intimidated all too easily.
Speaking here in Serbia ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League Group H clash, Wilshere, an unused substitute against the Hornets, said: "As a player if your attitude is questioned, it’s horrible.
"I look around this team, I went to Bournemouth last year, and I look around this team and you can’t question our character.
"People try and put us down, they always have. I don’t think the comments were justified.
"When we look back at the game we look back at ourselves and what we did wrong. I don’t think we can look back and question our character.
"We did certain things wrong but we certainly didn't want to let the lead slip. We will move on.
In Pictures | Watford vs Arsenal | 14/10/2017
"We have a game tomorrow and another big game at the weekend and we have seen with this team that the players can bounce back quick and we will do that.
"As players we have not spoken about that. I am sure individually players are disappointed - no one wants to hear those comments.
"But players are entitled to their opinions and to talk. That’s part of the modern day game and we have to deal with that.
"All we can do is bounce back with a good performance tomorrow and at the weekend."
Manager Arsene Wenger admitted he had found the criticism hard to take but backed his team to bounce back.
"Yes [it hurt me to hear that] but I know who my players really are," said the Frenchman. "In the last seven games we had six wins and one draw.
"After that, the comments, that’s part of the modern game, you have to realise that. I love my players and I trust their strength of character to respond quickly."