Desperate Wenger gunning for lost pride against Tottenham
Shortpasses
Arsene Wenger has warned Tottenham that Arsenal will use Saturday’s derby showdown to prove the balance of power in north London hasn’t shifted permanently.
After decades of lording it over their neighbours from the other end of the Seven Sisters Road, Wenger’s side have found themselves in the unpleasant position of playing second fiddle to Tottenham over the last year.
Tottenham will arrive at the Emirates Stadium sitting four points above the Gunners in the Premier League and still basking in the afterglow of their memorable victory over European champions Real Madrid earlier this month.
While Mauricio Pochettino’s team harbour ambitions of winning both the Premier League and Champions League, Arsenal are living in reduced circumstances.
Having finished below Tottenham last season for the first time in 22 years, a black cloud hangs over the Gunners, who appear destined for a grim fight for a topfour finish.
Many Arsenal fans have grown tired of Wenger’s excuses after 13 years without a title triumph and the indignity of missing out on a Champions League berth last term was the final straw for many.
Arsenal haven’t beaten Tottenham in the league since March 2014, a barren streak stretching to six matches.
But despite a damaging defeat at leaders Manchester City in their last league game, Wenger is adamant his team are primed to end their frustrating run against Tottenham.
Asked if Arsenal were underdogs in the derby, Wenger said: “No, not at all.
“I think Tottenham are a good side but we have the quality to win this game and that’s what we want to show.”
Wenger’s hopes of a muchneeded victory weren’t helped by the injury suffered by France
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striker Olivier Giroud during the international break.
Giroud will be sidelined on Saturday, meaning Wenger may have to start erratic forward Alexandre Lacazette who was left out of previous match-ups with Liverpool and City.
Tottenham, without a win at the Emirates since 2010, must win on Saturday to keep in touch with City, who are eight points clear of Pochettino’s club.
Despite Arsenal’s plight, Pochettino believes it would be foolish to take victory for granted against wounded opponents.
AGUERO FIT FOR CITY
Sergio Aguero is in contention to feature for Manchester City at Leicester City in the Premier League despite suffering a health scare while on international duty.
The striker was taken to hospital as a precaution after complaining of dizziness as Argentina lost 4-2 to Nigeria in the Russian city of Krasnodar on Tuesday.
City were quick to dismiss initial reports Aguero had lost consciousness after fainting, emphasising he was able to leave the stadium unaided.
He returned to Manchester for further tests on Wednesday, with a drop in his blood pressure believed to be the reason that he fell ill.
Manager Pep Guardiola has been keeping a close eye on Aguero since then, but he was scheduled to train with the rest of the squad on Thursday and Friday, and is expected to play some part at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
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