Troy Deeney has taken aim at Mikel Arteta after his post-match remarks about Viktor Gyokeres after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Man City.
Deeney points finger at Arteta
Former Watford captain Troy Deeney didn’t hold back after Arsenal’s draw with Man City, putting Viktor Gyokeres under the spotlight. While Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser saved a point for the Gunners, the game left more questions than answers.
Gyokeres played the full match but barely left a mark. He only had 24 touches, zero shots, and a poor passing return. For a striker signed to turn tight games into wins, those numbers were miles off the mark. Speaking on talkSport, Deeney argued that Arteta’s comments about the forward didn’t match the player’s performance.
That is especially when the stats showed a very different story. With Arsenal’s title hopes already fading behind Liverpool, patience among pundits and fans is starting to wear thin.
Arsenal’s mental block still showing
Beyond Gyokeres, the game exposed Arsenal’s old habits. Man City grabbed an early goal and sat deep, letting Arsenal have the ball without much end product. Despite dominating possession, the North London side looked short of ideas in the final third.
Arteta defended his striker, claiming the Sweden striker came close on three occasions, but Deeney wasn’t convinced. The bigger worry is the mindset in the squad. Instead of chasing a winner after Martinelli’s equaliser, Arsenal’s players spent precious time celebrating.
It’s not just about quality on the pitch, it’s about mentality. Arsenal still look like they’re settling instead of seizing. Few things needs to change if the Gunners want to compete at the highest level.
Author’s Opinion:
Troy Deeney’s take may sting, but he’s not wrong. If Arsenal want to fight for the crown, they need to show it on the field. Head coach Mikel Arteta needs Gyokeres firing in big games, not just against strugglers.
