Troy Deeney has admitted his infamous comment about Arsenal lacking ‘cojones’ doesn’t apply to the current team under Mikel Arteta.

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Watford’s English striker Troy Deeney reacts during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 26, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney / POOL / AFP)

Back in 2017, Troy Deeney claimed the reason Arsenal had lost their last game to Watford was that they lacked “a bit of cojones” in comparison to Deeney’s team.

The comment went viral on social media and led to a fair bit of hostility between Deeney and the Arsenal fans, particularly every time he’s faced them since.

But perhaps that can all be put to bed now, with Deeney admitting Mikel Arteta’s current side is showing a new-found togetherness.

“They’ve changed. They are proper outfit now. When I said that (about Arsenal lacking cojones) it was about one game in one situation, it wasn’t like the whole culture of Arsenal,” Deeney told Ben Foster’s YouTube channel.

“I grew up with Wrighty. 1-0 wins and invincibles, world-class.

“The biggest thing I like about Arteta is he got rid of all the egos, whether they are good players or not. He’s said this is how it’s going to be, back me or not. Now you see the togetherness.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Troy Deeney of Watford sees his penalty saved by Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on March 11, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Troy Deeney of Watford sees his penalty saved by Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Watford at Emirates Stadium on March 11, 2018. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

It’s unlikely Deeney will get a good reception at the Emirates Stadium if he ever returns to the ground, as the animosity has gone beyond its root cause.

Incidents like Deeney’s missed penalty against Arsenal in 2018, and the fan baiting that followed, haven’t helped their relationship.

The fact he’s lost all four of his matches against the Gunners since his ‘cojones’ comment probably leaves him wanting to prove a point as well.

But away from the pitch, it’s clear Deeney can appreciate Arsenal’s recent progress. So maybe that should be that.