Arsenal shouldn’t forget that Tottenham Hotspurs, their North London rivals, are a team that could hurt their league ambitions.
Like the Gunners, their noisy neighbors were off to a good start this season, and some people were even beginning to think they might be in the running for the title. They lost their way a few months into the season, and injuries stopped them from continuing their good run.
In fact, over the last few weeks, some have doubted their hopes of winning the PL title or even making it to the top 4.
But Gary Neville wants to warn anyone who doesn’t believe that Spurs are still contenders. He tells Arsenal and Liverpool that if they aren’t careful, this Spurs team could hurt their hopes of winning the title.
Neville says that Arsenal and Liverpool should hope that Spurs can stay in the FA Cup longer. But will they? In the FA Cup fourth round, on January 27, Spurs play Manchester City.
The full-back who used to play for Manchester United says that Spurs might not focus as much on the league if they are in the FA Cup. Other than being in the FA Cup, he claims that injuries might make it challenging for the Postecoglou-led team to threaten Liverpool and Arsenal’s bid to be the best team that challenges City to the league.
“I think if they keep the players fit, they’re an absolute certainty,” Neville said on Sky Sports after the draw against United. “I think actually, when you watch them, when they get the five players back that are missing and they’re all fit, they can be better than Liverpool and Arsenal this season.
“I think it’s a bad draw for them in the FA Cup, so they could go out of that and then fully concentrate on the league ahead. I know they need to go after trophies, but if you go out of the domestic competitions, teams that have had explosive seasons can move that aside and do well in the league. For Ange Postecoglou, to get second or third is possible if he gets a clean run at it.”
I believe Arsenal should be wary of some teams in the league, but they should also remember that they are their own worst enemy. They can’t afford to drop points going forward. The Gunners need to pick win after win if they’re to end their 20-year league title drought in May or they may even surrender a place in the Top Four.
Darren N
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This is the same changeable GARY NEVILLE, WHO CONFIDENTLY PREDICTED US TO WIN THE PREM EARLIER THIS SEASON.
He flip flops more often than Keir Starmer , aka Captain Hindsight.
I don’t think he’s said he’s changed his view – the live in the article does include a significant “if” – but even if he did, wouldn’t that simply be changing his view to go along with the evidence? Like how many people’s views on arteta changed over time?
the line* in the article
DAVI, I disagree, as he HAS plainly changed his mind. Until recently he was firm that we would beat City to the title.
It is still only just past half way and he has changed tack completely. Yes, he is entited to change his mind and I never said he was not entitled, did I!!
I merely pointed out the truth , which is that he HAS changed his mind and I compared him to STARMER WHO CONSTANTLY FLIP FLOPS..
I will aceept that politics – not party politics though- is far more important to me personally than football could ever be , even Arsenal , which is why I am unusual on JA in being as I am.
Yes, because Postecoglou has been maximizing his managerial honeymoon period very well
GAI, what “managerial honeymoon”? Ange Postecoglou, who has 27 years managerial experience, having won 21 trophies on 3 continents, including an international trophy the Asian Cup, was discounted by many.
Having lost Harry Kane, questions were asked about where the goals were going to come from and predictions were made by some that Tottenham Hotspurs would be battling relegation. In addition
Postecoglou has had to manage a squad with injuries/suspensions/international duty absences to 11 players.
Yet Spurs have been kept in contact with the leading teams, currently lying fifth. There is no doubt that when the big guns return, plus the new players from the sound January window are integrated, Spurs should be in a stronger position to threaten. All this in Postecoglou’s first 6 months.
As for Arsenal it’s fate is in its hands, given the current position in the League, the fact that the Mikel Arteta plan/process has been implemented for over 4 years, the players are now his and the Board has supported him to the tune of £700 million. If Arsenal can’t build on its second place finish last season, questions should be asked.
OG, you hit the bullseye. You pointed out the highs in AP’s distinguished career, that is the difference between hiring a proper manager and hiring a manager. As for the realist in me, I’m not worried as with the players we hired we are destined for a 5/6th spot. Last year we had Ramsdale commanding the backline, this year the silent Raya. Question arises, why did we dump Leno? Last year we had Xhaka, this year we have Kai patrolling our flanks. Plus the rhythm of last years players seems disrupted. We have shot ourselves in the foot, AP’s experience will count, just as Emery’s will count.
This season is over.
And when facts are discussed, some call us “Trolls”
It’s a period when the players of a team are trying to impress their new manager by working harder than usual and generally refreshed by the new manager’s system
Mourinho and Conte had it at Spuds before things started to break
What? Like the players did for Arteta? What a load of twaddl. Give the manager more respect, than that. He is an experienced manager.
Postecoglou has done pretty well considering the circumstances he came into and the injuries in the squad. However, any suggestion of Spurs ‘battling relegation’ is absurd. They had a reasonable squad which was suboptimally managed by some managers who have regularly been cited as amongst the best in the world. Those managers were often given a pass by pundits because of their historical standing in the game.
Postecoglou, I would suggest , has been one of the better managers in the league this season and Spurs have also done well in the transfer market even with the loss of Kane.
Arsenal decided to take a different path from some other top teams over the last few years to become serious contenders and so spending was necessary; but is evidently never a guarantee. Overall we have also done well in the transfer markets and currently we are still well placed to be amongst the challengers for the league title.
David, certainly not my view, or the view of a majority of people with football knowledge; however there were some naysayers, who predicted doom and gloom. Your point about the quality of the Spurs players and the inability of previous managers to play to their strengths is concurred in.
I think Spuds will experience a decline tale end of this season just like Arsenal did last season. This teams don’t have enough quality bench like City to last through out the season.
In my opinion, they would only decline next season, after other managers analyze their tactics during the next summer
GAI, just remember there is another transfer window before next season and so far Spurs have spent well for players that fit Postecoglous’s style and ethos. Therefore a bit hard to “crystal ball” for any club.
Sylvia, a casual look and the players Spurs have returning may change your opinion.
The gaffer needs to fine tune the process and get phase four back on track, he has to bring us a big trophy in the next two years, if he does that, he’ll cemented his legend, We will be able to finally say we got our Arsenal back.
As fans we need to give him this time, can’t believe the slobbering over the Spuds, We have the best young manager on the planet, dragging us into the elite level, and he’s done through sheer force of personality at a club no one thought had the guts to back a manager.
There is a blip but we are on the right path, the core of squad is scary. The system is the right one, a little better handling in the transfer windows going forward we can have a very exciting 2024 and beyond, Spuds or Pool no bother.
I’ve been leery of spuds since they acquired Maddison and now he’s back from injury. I don’t expect it to be easy getting to St. Totteringham’s Day this season.
We were asked a similar question at the start of the season and some fans dismissed the idea out of hand.
More fool them in my opinion.
At the moment it looks like a five horse race for the top four and, at the moment, we look the likeliest to fall at the last hurdle.
Spuds area handicapped by their two top players having long term injuries and we will have to reign in our losing streak, or we will be pipped at the post.
It’s going to be neck and neck for the remainder of the season and I am forecasting a photo finish for third and fourth, with everyone’s favourite for the title to be first past the post.
Would you like to strike a bet with me KEN that we miss out on top four, as you are predicting as most likely here?.
I SAY WE WILL BE WELL INSIDE the fifth team, whoever that is! But we have practically NO chance of winning the title, which will probably be City, though I do not write off Liverpool.
I expect third but, unlike some on here I do NOT demand it, nor even fourth.
I’d take Spurs to finish above us all day long.
They have had so many players missing during the season and are still up there.
They will only get stronger as we fall away again.
We can thank our lucky stars Man Utd, Newcastle and Chelsea are off the pace this season or the top 6 would have been a problem.
Spurs are a good team when all their players are fit and Son returns from the Asia Cup. Arsenal will have to perform very well in the remainder of the season to see off challenges not only from Spurs but also Villa.
👍gunnerforlife.
You can appreciate why Neville failed in Management as he changes his tune like a pair of socks.On a more serious note Spurs are probably stronger than us in terms of strength in depth in midfield and with the return of Maddison they will have the creativity they lack at present.That said, while I admire the attacking attitude of their Manager he will find it a lot more difficult to maintain this gung ho approach in the EPL than he has done in Scotland with Celtic or in the Far East Under Postegoglu teams will always create chances against Spurs and the top quality sides will cash in on the huge gaps left by their attacking full backs.They will probably make the top six but we ought to be concerned about Man City and Liverpool rather than our local rivals if we have real thoughts of winning the League.
Why are they stronger Grandad? When their squad was assembled at a fraction of ours.
Nah , we will comfortably make top 4
The Spuds have suffered with similar crucial injuries to their squad.That said they’ve not been anything like so profligate in front of goal…With their missing players returning to the fray and with their opposition less interested in playing the deep block against them Spuds can certainly rival Arsenal for a top 4 place…Citeh will unfortunately and inevitably go on to win the League and Liverpool,Arsenal,Tottenham and perhaps Villa will fight for the remaining Champions League places…
At this stage Arteta really needs to be able to remotivate his squad…especially his forward line;get the likes of Partey back to fitness and firing once again; and sort out a Plan B when his team are up against it on Matchday.
Another Season of initial positivity followed by ultimate disappointment isn’t frankly good enough at this stage in his Arsenal Coaching Career!
Yes I’m concerned they will finish above us. So many on here discounted them a while ago, (myself included) as not having enough good players in their first team, nothing without Kane, Son off to the Asia Cup, Richarlison is crap, they haven’t got decent backups etc. They haven’t missed Kane or Son and Richarlison is scoring for fun. Not had their best back 4 for a lot of games and Maddison still to return, also playing great attacking football. So, yes I’m concerned and hopefully they go all spursy soon!
Spuds are definitely in the race for top 4, one would be a fool to dismiss either them or Villa.
I think the title race is likely between Liverpool and City, and the 3rd and 4th spot is between Arsenal, Villa, and Spuds.
I think the tactics and decisions of those managers will play a vital role in how the season ends. How they evolve and adapt their squad and style of play in the 2nd half of the season.
The team needs a decent finisher, some squad rotation and the sale of Viera/Nketiah .
I don’t care about Neville’s opinion. That said, I think there is a high probability that both Villa and Spurs have at least caught us up in the short term. Top four for us is not going to be a shu in.