Arsene Wenger spoke very highly of Troy Deeney ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Watford.

The boss highlighted the striker as a key player we need to keep quiet during our match at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

“They were very efficient last year with the two strikers up front together, Ighalo and Deeney,” Wenger said.

“One of the keys for us will be to keep them quiet.

“I rate Deeney because he’s a player who has technical quality first of all, but he’s also a fighter. To find a player who combines these two things is not easy.

“He’s very strong in the challenges, the duels, and in the link play as well. I was impressed by him last year.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Troy Deeney of Watford scores their firs goal during the pre-season friendly match between Watford and Lorient at Vicarage Road on August 6, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Troy Deeney of Watford scores their firs goal during the pre-season friendly match between Watford and Lorient at Vicarage Road on August 6, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

“We need a first win after our game at Leicester. Of course the international break comes too soon because players go away with their national teams [and] are not ready yet to start for us yet in the Premier League, because we had to rest them as they’ve played in international games.

“Not everybody is up to speed completely. We still have some players who are a little bit behind.”

Although the 28-year-old hasn’t managed to score against the Gunners yet, he did manage 13 goals and eight assists last season, which means he can’t be underestimated. In fact, he managed to find the net against a few of the top teams, including Everton, Leicester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

We’re likely to see an unchanged starting XI against the Hornets so hopefully the inexperienced Rob Holding doesn’t have too hard a job. The 20-year-old is only marginally shorter than the striker but needs to be physically strong if he’s not going to knocked over. Laurent Koscielny should know how to keep Deeney quiet, however, and shouldn’t do a ‘Gabriel’ and essentially leave Holding by himself.