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Tom Cleverley scored a last-gasp winner for Watford against Arsenal
'we smelt fear'

Watford matchwinner Tom Cleverley reveals Hornets ‘smelled blood’ in late comeback win against Arsenal

Late hero joins fellow Watford scorer Troy Deeney in taunting the Gunners - and Arsene Wenger’s side have now picked up just one point from four away games

TOM CLEVERLEY has revealed  Watford “smelled blood” against Arsenal.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road meant Arsene Wenger’s side have picked up just one point from four away games in the Premier League this season.

 Ton Cleverley turns away to celebrate his late home winner against Arsenal
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Ton Cleverley turns away to celebrate his late home winner against ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association

Hornets striker Troy Deeney slammed Arsenal for not having any “cojones”.

And match-winner Cleverley said: “You smell a little bit of blood. I felt we were on the front foot and I gambled a little bit for the goal.

“If you were a bit more wary of a team  maybe I wouldn’t have done.”

Deeney launched an astonishing TV attack on Arsenal  after the game.

Boss Wenger was furious Watford were given a penalty when Richarlison went down  — and Deeney scored from the spot.

But Deeney said: “There is a reason why Arsenal lost and it was not because of the penalty. It was about having cojones.

 Mesut Ozil and Co are down and out as Arsenal continued their travel sickness
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Mesut Ozil and Co are down and out as Arsenal continued their travel sicknessCredit: PA:Press Association
 Troy Deeney and Tom Cleverley netted in a fine Watford comeback win and both suggested the visiting Gunners lacked bottle when it mattered most
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Troy Deeney and Tom Cleverley netted in a fine Watford comeback win and both suggested the visiting Gunners lacked bottle when it mattered mostCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“Whenever I play Arsenal I go up and try to whack them and think, ‘Who wants it?’. But I went up with Mertesacker and didn’t have to jump. They all just backed off and I said, ‘Happy days’.

“If you will let me do my strength against you, you’ll have a tough afternoon.  My equaliser was because I was big and strong.”

Arsenal legend Martin Keown admitted Deeney had a point.

 Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka looks shattered after the Hornets scored twice in the last 19 minutes to win 2-1 and move up to fourth in the Premier League
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Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka looks shattered after the Hornets scored twice in the last 19 minutes to win 2-1 and move up to fourth in the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex Features
 Troy Deeney and Richarlison put Arsenal defenders Hector Bellerin and Per Mertesacker under pressure on another disappointing trip for the Gunners
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Troy Deeney and Richarlison put Arsenal defenders Hector Bellerin and Per Mertesacker under pressure on another disappointing trip for the GunnersCredit: Reuters

Keown said on Match of the Day Extra: “In my day it would have been the other way around.

“We’d have said if he came off the bench, ‘Let’s let him have it a bit because he’s going to let us have it’. You have to have that about you.

“It seriously makes me look at the DNA of the Arsenal players and in the recruitment. Has that got to change?

“They need to have more steel and determination.

“Maybe he  looks at the Ozils and their attitude and thinks, ‘I can get on here and do something’.

“When your opponent is telling you your weaknesses, it’s damning.

“You are not strong enough and you have no balls.

“Wenger needs to listen and make the adjustment.”

 Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker bagged the opener but is dejected at the end
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Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker bagged the opener but is dejected at the endCredit: Getty - Contributor


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