Watford head coach Walter Mazzarri was very pleased with his team's response in the second half of their 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal.

The Hornets were blown away in the first 45 minutes as the Gunners raced into a 3-0 lead.

But Mazzarri brought on Roberto Pereyra at the break and the debutant netted in a much-improved performance from the hosts.

Mazzarri said: "Yes it was very important [second-half response]. I’m very happy and we even had the opportunity to see many of the new players.

"All the team reacted very well and I’m very happy with the way we played in the second half."

The Italian got the reaction he required, even if the result was already beyond them, claiming his players went out with a different attitude.

He said: “I cannot really say [half-time team talk] because I said many things but it means the players heard what I said and they went out in the second half with a different attitude."

The Hornets are third bottom on one point from three games with their next match at West Ham, after the international break, in a fortnight.