Troy Deeney insists he doesn't hate Arsenal and claims the Premier League side are heading in the right direction under Mikel Arteta.
Deeney, 34, claimed the Gunners lacked "cojones" after Watford 's 2-1 victory against Arsene Wenger's side in October 2017. The Englishman, who was captain of Watford at the time, was suggesting Arsenal weren't up for the fight after surrendering a 1-0 lead.
"I've heard Wenger's already blaming [a penalty decision] as the reason why they lost," Deeney told BT Sport at full-time. "I'm not going to be the one to tell Mr Wenger about himself, but there's a reason why they lost and it wasn't because of one penalty.
"I'll have to watch what I say. It's a bit of cojones, a bit of nuts. Whenever I play Arsenal, I'll go up and think, 'Let me whack the first one and see who wants it'. I came on today and jumped with [Per] Mertesacker. I didn't even have to jump, actually - I nodded it down.
"The crowd gets up - 'Yeah, we've got somebody who can win it' - and they all just backed off. For me as a player I just think, 'Happy days'. That's my strength. I know I'm not technically gifted like they are, not as quick, but if you want to fight with me, I'm gonna beat you all day."
Deeney's was criticised by Arsenal supporters for his comments. They came back to haunt him the following March when he missed a penalty at the Emirates, with Gunners fans asking him on social media: "Where are your cojones now?" It finished 3-0 to Arsenal.
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Despite his jibe five years ago, Deeney claims he has nothing against Arsenal. "Ever since I claimed that their team lacked ‘cojones’ five years ago, every Arsenal supporter seems to think I hate them," the Birmingham City striker wrote in his column for The Sun.
"Even my own missus, Alisha, who is an avid Gooner, thinks I can’t stand them, too! But it simply isn’t true... I think Arsenal are heading back in the right direction under Mikel Arteta."
Deeney added: "I still get reminded of it almost every day. What I was trying to get at was that, during Arsene Wenger ’s latter years, when you played for a Premier League club outside of the ‘elite’, you felt as though you had a serious chance against Arsenal."
In praise of Arteta's side, Deeney continued: "They also look to have greater team spirit - 'cojones' if you must. So there you go, Alisha and every other Arsenal fan, I can say nice things about your team and I certainly don’t hate them!"
Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League after a superb start to the season, recording wins against Crystal Palace, Leicester and Bournemouth. They're hoping for three more points on Saturday evening when they welcome Fulham to the Emirates.
The Gunners will also be aiming for a win against Aston Villa at home on Wednesday. Arsenal's first big test of the season will be against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 4. Both teams are looking to break into the top four this season, with Arsenal finishing fifth and United sixth last term.
