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Watford captain Troy Deeney says he has played down his long-term rift with Arsenal and the club’s supporters.
The striker emerged as a pantomime villain, claiming the Gunners lacked “cojones” following a Hornets victory, which confounded the Sportingbet bonus odds, over Arsenal back in 2017.
Deeney says he respects Arsenal
Arsene Wenger’s side surrendered a one goal lead to lose 2-1 at Vicarage Road, with Deeney scoring a penalty that was hotly disputed by the then Arsenal boss.
Fans of the North London club have appeared to have it in for Deeney ever since, but in an interview with Manchester United fan channel The United Stand, Deeney also heaped praise on teenager Saka.
He said: “Arsenal people hate me but it is what it is.
“The reason me and someone like DT get on, or me and Robbie or me and Troopz, is because I’m not saying Arsenal are crap, or these players are not good enough.
Deeney full of praise for Arsenal teen Bukayo Saka
“I’m literally going, ‘my opinion on it is this, this and this’ and they would go, ‘yeah, I can see that’.
“Even when Arsenal are good I’ll be like, ‘my man was sick, you know’.
“Saka at left-back, he’s a proper player.
“I’m not just going, ‘oh, you lost, haha’. Bro, Watford lose more than most.”
