Troy Deeney has insisted he has no regrets regarding his comments on Arsenal's lack of leadership and believes his frank assessment helped provide the motivation for them to turn their season around.

Arsenal have won four straight games in all competitions since beating Watford at the Emirates in their first meeting since Deeney accused Arsene Wenger's teams of 'lacking cojones'.

Arsene Wenger admitted Deeney's comments had provided his side with extra motivation to beat avenge their defeat earlier in the season, but the Watford captain maintains he was 'qualified' to make the comments.

"I'm probably more qualified than most to speak about Arsenal. We train next door and I grew up watching Arsenal whey they had five or six big players," said Deeney in an exclusive interview with YouTube channel XO.

"When we played them on that day I felt they didn't have enough leaders on the pitch and that was it."

Troy Deeney scored a penalty in Watford's 2-1 win over Arsenal last October credit: Reuters

Deeney scored a penalty as Watford came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 last October.

In his post-match interview with BT Sport, Deeney questioned Arsenal's physical and mental mettle.

"I've heard Wenger's already blaming [the penalty] as the reason for why they lost," Deeney told BT Sport.

"Well, I'm not going to be one to tell Mr Wenger about himself, but there's a reason that they lost and it wasn't because of one penalty.

"I have to watch what I say, but it's [having] a bit of cojones, is what I'll say. Whenever I play against Arsenal, I'll go up and think 'let me whack the first one and see who wants it.'

"It's actually helped Watford out because now we've got a rivalry with Arsenal," Deeney told XO, reflecting on his comments.

"If you look at where we was when I joined seven years ago we was 15th in the Championship. fast forward seven years, and where Arsenal were seven years to where they are now they're competing with Watford."

Troy Deeney missed a penalty in March as Arsenal avenged their Vicarage Road defeat credit: Getty Images

"I spoke to [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles, after I missed the penalty, and said 'I'm glad I can help you bring out a decent crowd.

"Because I watched the game when they lost a week before to Man City, when the snow came and they had like 10,000 there - but then for the next game it's sold-out and everyone's giving Troy grief.

"I've made Arsenal's season. They've stepped up since then."