Advertisement
Troy Deeney scores a penalty.

Arsenal lack 'cojones' - Watford star hammers Gunners

Troy Deeney helped turn the game around in a win over the London side, whose showing did not impress him much.

TROY DEENEY ACCUSED Arsenal of showing a lack of “cojones” after they let a one-goal lead slip away to lose 2-1 at Premier League rivals Watford on Saturday.

The visitors appeared on course to make it five wins in a row in all competitions thanks to Per Mertesacker’s first-half goal – only to concede twice in a dramatic final 20 minutes at Vicarage Road.

Deeney equalised from the spot after Hector Bellerin was adjudged to have fouled Richarlison inside the area, a decision Arsene Wenger branded “scandalous” in his post-match interview.

However, Deeney – who also had a hand in his side’s winner, challenging goalkeeper Petr Cech for a loose ball that eventually broke into the path of scorer Tom Cleverley – insisted Arsenal’s failure to hang on had nothing to do with referee Neil Swarbrick’s penalty call.

I’ve heard Wenger’s already blaming that [the penalty] as the reason they lost,” Watford’s club captain told BT Sport.

“Well, I’m not one to tell Mr. Wenger about himself, but the reason they lost wasn’t due to one penalty.

Having a bit of cojones, I think the word is. Whenever I play against Arsenal – and this is just a personal thing – I go up and think ‘let me whack the first one, then we will see who wants it’.

“I came on today and jumped up with Mertesacker – I didn’t even have to jump up actually – nodded it down and the crowd gets up. They all just backed off.

For me, as a player, I just think happy days. That’s my strength, so if you’re going to let me do that against you, you’re in for a tough afternoon.”

Deeney also had harsh words for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who was guilty of missing a one-on-one chance by shooting straight at Heurelho Gomes.

“[They didn't have] the ruthlessness,” Deeney continued. “I don’t think there’s many top Premier League teams that would have the chance that Ozil had and be so naive and just nonchalant with it.

I’m old-school Arsenal. I loved watching Arsenal, my son’s an Arsenal fan. [Ian Wright] doesn’t miss those. Thierry [Henry] doesn’t miss those. Even [Emmanuel] Petit, [Patrick] Vieira, [Paul Merson]… they’re ruthless.

“He missed it and was like ‘Ugh, we’ll get another one’. Unfortunately, this is the Premier League now and everyone’s catching up. You don’t get another one.”

BT Sport / YouTube

Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:

Man United’s negative tactics and more Premier League talking points>

Limerick boost survival hopes with crucial win over Drogheda>

Author
View 7 comments
Close
7 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Timm
    Favourite Jimmy Timm
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 8:13 AM

    That’s actually a readable interview!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom49
    Favourite Tom49
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 2:04 AM

    Arsenal lack a manager that’s up to the task

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AM
    Favourite AM
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 9:49 AM

    @Tom49: Forza Watford.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Kennedy
    Favourite Joe Kennedy
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 12:07 AM

    Forrestieri……hogg……Deeneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pl O'neill
    Favourite Pl O'neill
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 10:16 AM

    Tottenham used to be the soft touch …….

    The Gunners have chocolate barrels that are easily licked …….

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Kennedy
    Favourite Paul Kennedy
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 10:14 AM

    Wenger never blamed the penalty for the loss. He was asked about it and said he was a ridiculous decision. He also said that Arsenal wasted plenty of chances and that they lacked composure. While there’s an element of truth in what Deeney says about Arsenal having no fight it’s difficult to hear it from an extremely average player, from an extremely average club, talking a big game and criticising Arsenal and Wenger.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute S kane
    Favourite S kane
    Report
    Oct 15th 2017, 10:21 AM

    @Paul Kennedy: what relevance is it he’s an average player from an average club, he’s a professional footballer in EPL, the 0.0000001% of players that play at that level that makes his opinion valid even tho he’s not at a top club.

    He’s point is valid , they have long lacked a spine and hard no nonsense edge and backbone to the team that the old arsenal teams had ,

    22
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel