Troy Deeney calls Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal move ‘childish’, suggests players are annoyed

This season is the first time since taking over that Arteta has true depth across his squad.

Arsenal now have two strong options for every position and are looking well set to compete on all fronts.

But a deeper squad brings its own challenges, and not everyone can start.

That has led Arteta to refer to substitutes as ‘finishers,’ and in the recent match against Athletic Club, both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli – who came off the bench – made an impact.

Using the term ‘finishers’ has not bothered most fans. However, former striker Troy Deeney thinks some players might take issue with it.

“Should we be calling substitutes ‘finishers’, like Mikel Arteta is now campaigning for at Arsenal? We’re at a stage in football now – and it’s not just Gunners boss Arteta – where managers are trying to invent new terms when what we have is just fine,” he wrote in The Sun.

“You’re not a sub, you’re a finisher. What?

“Is it to make it more palatable or soften the blow for players who are not getting a look-in? There’s no other word for it: Childish.

“The problem I have with it is with players who aren’t one of the three, four or five ‘finishers’ brought on. What are you calling them?

“An unused player will be thinking: ‘He says I’m a finisher, but I’m not being used as one.’ That would leave me feeling confused and p—– off.”

Troy Deeney’s opinion on Mikel Arteta’s approach

Deeney has been building a reputation in the media for sharing strong opinions, but some of them, like his recent comments about Arteta, seem unnecessary.

The Spaniard named something he created within his team to improve their performance. It is unrelated to the former Watford star and does not seem to be causing harm.

Still, Deeney felt compelled to bring it up. It is just not needed.

Arteta’s creativity has often drawn criticism. Nearly every departure from tradition he has introduced at Arsenal has been met with skepticism.

What matters most is that the players believe in what the coach is building. And against Athletic Club, it was his so-called ‘finishers’ who helped secure the result. In that context, Deeney’s opinion on terminology does not carry much weight inside the club.