I was speaking to a couple of Spurs fans on Saturday and we were discussing their chances against Man City and basically, they had resigned themselves to losing the game and leaving the Etihad with no points. In fact, they had already calculated in the loss in terms of how many points they would get this season.
Before Chelsea played Liverpool in the Super Cup the impression I got from some quarters and not just their fans, was that the Reds were going to turn the Blues over with ease mainly because of the contrasting results the respective teams enjoyed in their first Premier League games of the season.
I was watching AFTV today and listened to Mr DT talk about the upcoming Liverpool game and he was of the opinion that as long as the players try and do not get a slapping, as they tend to do at Anfield, he will be fine with a loss, well, words to that effect.
I see a pattern developing here.
For some reason, Liverpool and Man City have teams beat before the game is even kicked off and while that is probably the case with most teams, it should never be the case with a top-six rival.
Tottenham proved on Saturday that you can take points off Man City at the Etihad and I do accept that they were lucky but every team gets lucky and the rub of the green at some time but all that matters is the points distribution at the end of the game.
In 120 minutes against Liverpool, Chelsea held their own in a game they were expected to get stuffed in and they only lost because of penalties.
Thinking you are beaten before the game even kicks off is madness in my opinion, yes Liverpool are favourites but so what, we are a top-six side and on our day can beat any of our closest rivals.
I am not deluding myself here, I accept the gulf that exists between Arsenal and Liverpool but I have seen too many times down the years when a so-called favoured big team loses to another so-called inferior top team for me to dismiss Arsenal’s chances.
Never underestimate any top six-team and that includes when they visit us at the Emirates and never think we are beaten just because our opponents are currently better than us.