Watford boss Javi Gracia stood by skipper Troy Deeney after his red card in defeat to Arsenal.

Deeney was sent off inside the opening 13 minutes of the FA Cup finalists' 1-0 defeat to the Gunners at Vicarage Road, after a collision with Lucas Torreira.

Speaking post-match, Gracia said of his skipper's dismissal: "I don't agree but I respect the referee's decision. It's maybe a yellow card.

“He [Deeney] doesn't have to explain to me anything. I could see the play. I could see the contact with his arm but never his elbow. I don't understand that decision.

“I never saw an aggression in the movement. I don't understand why the referee took that decision."

Asked whether the Arsenal player - Torreira - went down too easily, Gracia refused to comment, stating: "I don't speak about Arsenal players."