This past weekend, Watford striker Troy Deeney put Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger on blast after the Hornets’ 2-1 home victory over the north London club. Deeney threw shade at the Gunners by claiming that they just don’t have cojones.
“There’s a reason they lost and is wasn’t because of one penalty,” he said.
“I have to watch what I say but… having a bit of cojones, I think the word is. Having a bit of nuts. ‘Whenever I play Arsenal and this is just personal, I go up and I think let me whack the first one, let’s see who wants it.”
Today, Wenger responded to Deeney’s brutal attacks on his club. During his pre-match news conference ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League match at Red Star Belgrade, Wenger said:
“People try and put us down, they always have. Those comments aren’t justified. Everyone is entitled to talk. We don’t listen to what people say. We try to analyze our own game. I love my players and I trust their strength of character to respond quickly. I know who my players really are.”
Wenger was asked if the Troy Deeney comments hurt and the Frenchman replied: “Yes but I know who my players really are. In the last seven games we had six wins and one draw. ‘Comments are part of the modern game.”
“I love my players and I trust their strength of character to respond.”
Wenger and the Gunners welcome Deeney and company for the rematch March 10.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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