Arsenal star Jack Wilshere hits back at Troy Deeney's 'cojones' comment: 'Nobody can question our character'

  • Jack Wilshere admits hearing Troy Deeney's criticism was 'horrible' for Arsenal
  • The Watford captain said Arsenal lacked 'cojones' after their defeat on Saturday
  • Arsene Wenger insists he 'trusts' the character of all his players despite the loss
  • The Frenchman says Theo Walcott is returning to his best after a difficult period 

If Arsenal had defended their goal on Saturday with quite the enthusiasm that Arsene Wenger and Jack Wilshere defended their character on Wednesday night then maybe Troy Deeney would have kept quiet.

The Watford striker has stung the Arsenal contingent, from staff to squad, with his cutting accusation that they lacked 'cojones' in their 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road.

A case of the truth hurting, perhaps, considering Arsenal have repeatedly been accused of a lack of true grit in the 12 years since Patrick Vieira left. But at least there was a semblance of fighting spirit on the eve of the Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.

Jack Wilshere says Troy Deeney was wrong to question Arsenal's character after Watford's win

Jack Wilshere says Troy Deeney was wrong to question Arsenal's character after Watford's win

Arsene Wenger insists he trusts in the character of his Arsenal squad despite the defeat

Arsene Wenger insists he trusts in the character of his Arsenal squad despite the defeat

Deeney's comments were put to both Wenger and Wilshere, with the latter in particular taking exception.


'As a player if you're attitude is questioned, it's horrible,' Wilshere said. '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 Watford game (in which Arsenal gave up a 1-0 lead) we look back at ourselves and what we did wrong. I don't think we can look back and question our character.

'I am sure individually players are disappointed (with Deeney's remarks) — no one wants to hear those comments. All we can do is bounce back with a good performance.'

Deeney spoke with brutal honesty about Arsenal following Watford's home victory

Deeney spoke with brutal honesty about Arsenal following Watford's home victory

The big striker kept his nerve as he slotted the ball home from 12 yards to level the scores

The big striker kept his nerve as he slotted the ball home from 12 yards to level the scores

Asked if the comments hurt, Wenger said: 'Yes, but I know who my players really are. In the last seven games before Watford 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.'

Fortitude will be necessary in Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium. It is where Arsenal were knocked out in the 1978 UEFA Cup third round. By a quirk of fate, the current Red Star squad includes Vujadin Savic, whose father Dusan scored in the first leg of that tie at Highbury. 

The Arsenal team for this fixture will be under-strength, just as it was in their previous Group H fixture against Bate Borisov, where Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent record in the competition this season. 

Wilshere is expected to start the match against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night

Wilshere is expected to start the match against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night

Wenger says Theo Walcott is getting back to a 'very good shape' after a difficult period

Wenger says Theo Walcott is getting back to a 'very good shape' after a difficult period

Wilshere is again expected to start, having so far failed to get a minute in the Premier League, while simultaneously excelling in the lesser prioritised competitions.

Theo Walcott, who scored twice in the 4-2 win over Borisov, is also likely to start after an intermittent season. His contract is up at the end of next season and Wenger said: 'He had a very good game at BATE Borisov.

'At the moment he looks back to a very good shape. I felt it took him some time to come back to his real level. He had a difficult start, maybe, but since the start of the season he looks highly motivated and focused, and I must say I am impressed.'

Wenger, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions of a rift with Alexis Sanchez after video footage was circulated showing him avoiding shaking the forward's hand in training. 'I shook his hand inside,' said Wenger.