Troy Deeney has backtracked on his controversial claim that Arsenal “lack cojones” - and has even backed them to finish in the top four.
The former Watford striker made the sensational comment in the aftermath of a famous Hornets victory against the North London side back in 2017, with the hosts coming from 1-0 down to win at Vicarage Road. His comments ruffled plenty of feathers at the Emirates Stadium and since then, Deeney doubled down on his claim just a few years later in his autobiography.
But, having watched Mikel Arteta ’s side dismiss of Liverpool at the weekend - and with it reclaim top spot in the Premier League - the 34-year-old forward has claimed that the Gunners are now in a much better position. Indeed, Deeney has also hailed the Spanish boss for dramatically improving the Gunners.
Asked for his thoughts on the Gunners by Ben Foster, Deeney replied: “Stop bringing it up [cojones comment], Ben! It’s changed now, they’re a proper outfit now. That’s the thing, when I said that, that was about one game in one situation. It wasn’t like the whole culture of Arsenal.
“I grew up on Arsenal with Wrighty, like you know, Ian Wright is a legend of mine. That’s what I’m used to. Those 1-0 wins, those horrible 1-0 wins, you know what I mean?
“Then you had the invincibles and they were just world class, you played against them. And then they went into this weird space where Wenger was trying to recreate something and I think United have done this over the years and they’ve tried to recreate the Fergie years and it doesn’t work. Football has moved on.
Do you think Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“I think Arsenal have gone through that patch where they had Emery and people like that and they’ve gone this is our man [Arteta] and we’re going to back him. I think the biggest thing that I like with Arteta is he’s got rid of all the egos.
“Whether they’re good players or not, Ozil, Aubameyang, good players, good lads. But he’s gone ‘this is how we’re going to be, back me or not’ and now you’re seeing the togetherness.”
It remains to be seen where the Gunners will go on to finish at the end of the campaign - but they currently top the table.
While Deeney has stopped short of tipping Arsenal for a potential title tilt, he does believe that they are set to return to the Champions League.
He continued: “Now I’m going 'alright you’re top four now'. Before the season I didn’t think they’d be top four that they’d do something Arsenal.
“Somebody would get injured like Jesus would get injured or whatever and then they’d just fall away but now I’m like ‘[Arsenal are a] proper, proper outfit’.”
