Troy Deeney has told talkSPORT Breakfast that (21/12/20) he sees ‘a lot of’ Arsenal players putting their ‘hands in the air’ when they concede, as well as ‘looking around’ and no-one owning the situation.
The outspoken Watford hitman also dismissed claims that summer signing Willian doesn’t have the desire to play for Arsenal amid criticism.
Since Willian’s move to Arsenal, and taking away the opening day win against Fulham, he has been non-existent for the club and he failed to stop Alex Iwobi’s cross which led to Everton’s first goal from the weekend.
Deeney initially shared his thoughts on a player naturally losing his desire when penning a new deal and offered insight into the problems he has seen from the Arsenal players.
“I do think naturally when you sign a big contract, you will ease off, it’s human nature,” said Deeney. “When you start out as a young player with no money, that’s a big driving factor. Once you start playing hundreds of games, your desire will drop, but I don’t think that’s the case with Willian.
“I see a lot of looking around. Like looking for somebody else to spark it. I don’t see someone going ‘I will be the driving force’.
“Whether that’s with a big run, a tackle or something. You see when a goal goes in there are a lot of hands in the air, a lot of looking around and no-one really owning it.”
Arsenal’s record transfer deals
- Nicolas Pepe
£72 million
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
£56 million
- Alexandre Lacazette
£52 million
- Thomas Partey
45 million
- Mesut Ozil
£42 million
Whilst Arsenal continue to struggle in the Premier League, they are a different animal when it comes to cup competitions.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping that some life will be shed on his team during tonight’s League Cup tie against Manchester City when he comes up against his former mentor, Pep Guardiola.
At this moment in time, Arteta is seemingly being backed by Arsenal and they will also back him next month when the transfer window re-opens.
But defeat today, and potentially fall into the relegation zone during the festive period, then things may well drastically change.
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