Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal team always seem to be extra highly motivated whenever we play at Wembley, and although Tottenham have an excellent record there this season, Arsenal can also boat a 9-game unbeaten run at the Home of Football. And when you consider that our last three visits ended in victories over Chelsea (twice) and Manchester City, we can not help but feel a little bit confident tomorrow.
Arsene Wenger was asked if there was a reason for our great form at Wembley, and he said: “They were always very important games for us, vital games, so that is why the focus was there. Is that especially linked with the players? No, it is just linked with the fact that at Wembley you play special games where you are under pressure to perform and we responded well to it every time.”
And then he was asked if he preferred to play Spurs at Wembley to White Hart Lane. “Yes, because we have a positive history there and of course Wembley is a pitch that is quality, a stadium with a big crowd and it is always a special day in your mind so overall yes.”
So could Arsenal’s record at Wembley be a decisive factor in tomorrow’s game? “Decisive, no. It has a little weight in it because we have a good level of performance there, so we will not feel too much ‘away’ in that situation. Anyway, it will be down to the performance on the day.”
He was then asked if playing at Wembley could tip the difference in Arsenal’s favour. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” he concluded. “I just think that, for us, it will be more about sorting out the tactical problems. To be at the level of performance we want to be, we have to play our fluent football. What Wembley gives you is a good quality of pitch to allow you to play the kind of game we want to play.”
So it could be strange tomorrow, with both sides acting like they playing a home game. Wenger and Pochettino both aim to play an attacking game and the result could come down to which defence makes the most errors. I am looking forward to a great spectacle on a great pitch at a spectacular venue. I’ve already got the butterflies!
Admin