Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger puts Watford defeat down to his players not being 'mentally ready' but insists the Gunners deserved at least a point

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Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal were not 'mentally ready' to handle Watford after surrendering the chance to gain ground on Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at home as Younes Kaboul and Troy Deeney scored inside a dominant first 13 minutes — and the Gunners couldn't come back despite Alex Iwobi's response.

Watford were physically dominant in the first half, creating plenty of chances to further their early lead but Wenger suggested it was Arsenal who were unlucky.

Younes Kaboul celebrates scoring Watford's opening goal at Arsenal on Tuesday

The Gunners players found themselves chasing a two-goal deficit inside 13 minutes

He did concede, though, that the Gunners switched off to lose out in a power surge from Walter Mazzarri's men.

'I don't think we have a power problem,' Wenger said. 'But we were not mentally ready to deal with the physical duels.

'You don't win 47 points after 23 games with no physical power but we have to switch it on 100 per cent in the Premier League. That's what it's about.

'It was obvious we lost duels and were not sharp enough. It looked more mentally that we were not ready for the challenges. We were unlucky for the first goal which was deflected after a soft free-kick.

Mesut Ozil cuts a frustrated figure during a disappointing night for the home side

Arsene Wenger was stuck in the stands as he served another game of his touchline ban

'It took us a while to get into the game, it was all us in the second half and we were unlucky not to get something from the game.'

Arsenal slip to third with Tuesday night's results and they are now nine points off leaders Chelsea ahead of what looks a must-win trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

They will have to do without Aaron Ramsey there, the midfielder limping off with a calf strain 20 minutes into the game after erring for both goals.

Francis Coquelin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was also carrying a knock in the last 15 minutes on Tuesday night, are the only available senior midfield options.

'I'm responsible for the results so I'm frustrated,' Wenger, who sat in the stands as he serves a four-match touchline ban, said. What other teams do didn't matter. I'm frustrated we didn't win.

'We're at home, it's a great opportunity and then we start as we did. We have to learn and respond quickly in a convincing way.

'Where does it leave the league? We lost today and we want to respond in the next game.

Kaboul's strike was followed by Troy Deeney's goal to put Watford in control

'You can only have a chance if you win your games. I knew exactly what we were preparing for but we have to learn from tonight.'

Watford boss Mazzarri ranked his team's first win since mid-October as one of the finest of his career which has taken in spells at the likes of Inter Milan and Napoli.

The Italian ended his post-match press conference with a classy tribute to late former Watford manager Graham Taylor on the eve of his funeral.

'I want to dedicate this victory to the great person that was Graham Taylor,' Mazzarri said. 'We wanted to do it before today but I think today was a great game and we want to dedicate this victory especially to him and to the fans as well.'