0:31 Javi Gracia reveals Troy Deeney has lost his appeal against his red card Javi Gracia reveals Troy Deeney has lost his appeal against his red card

Javi Gracia says Watford have lost an appeal against Troy Deeney's red card in Monday's defeat to Arsenal.

Deeney was sent off in the 11th minute at Vicarage Road, shortly after Arsenal scored the goal that gave them a 1-0 win to go fourth in the Premier League standings.

Gracia told Sky Sports after the game that he "couldn't explain" the decision: "I respect the referee's decision, but I don't agree [about Deeney's red card]. In my opinion it is a yellow card but never a red. I can't explain what the referee saw to make that decision."

The Watford boss confirmed during Thursday's press conference that the club had lost an appeal against the red card.

"I saw the game again and it does not change my opinion," said Gracia. "For me, it is not a red card.

"The club appealed but I think we have lost, and we have to play the next games without Troy.

0:56 Deeney was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Arsenal's Lucas Torreira on Monday, but was the Watford forward unfortunate? Deeney was shown a straight red card for an elbow on Arsenal's Lucas Torreira on Monday, but was the Watford forward unfortunate?

"We have to be ready to compete without him. We never complain about the players we don't have, we prefer to value the players we have and try to choose the best XI to start."

The decision means the club captain will miss Watford's next three games against Huddersfield, Southampton and Wolves.