Pochettino confident Eriksen isn’t heading for Spurs exit
ARSENAL: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Papastathopoulos, Luiz, Kolasinac, Torreira (Ceballos, 63 mins), Xhaka, Guendouzi, Pepe, Lacazette (Mkhitaryan, 67 mins), Aubameyang. Unused subs: Ozil, Chambers, Nelson, Martinez, Willock. TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Sissoko, Winks, Lamela (Alli, 60 mins), Son (Lo Celso, 79 mins), Eriksen, Kane. Unused subs: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Lucas Moura, Skipp, Davies. Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire). Man of the Match: Matteo Guendouzi Match Rating: 8/10 MAURICIO Pochettino believes Christian Eriksen will still be at Tottenham Hotspur after the European transfer window closes tonight.
The Dane’s future has been up in the air all summer after he said he was looking for a fresh challenge as he entered the final year of his contract, but a move to a top European club has not materialised.
Pochettino (below), speaking after yesterday’s 2-2 north London derby draw at Arsenal, could not give a 100 per cent guarantee there would not be a late twist in the tale, but reckons time is on Spurs’ side.
“No, there are still hours or one day. I want to say it is going to be impossible, but it is going to be difficult (for him to leave),” the Argentinian said of Eriksen, who opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium.
“I think nothing is impossible in football, but the most important thing is that it is only 24 hours and I hope that everything will be clear for everyone.”
Pochettino has long complained about the European transfer window causing a number of his players, including Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen, to be unsettled, but hopes this can allow the club to hit the reset button and move forward.
“I was a little bit worried about the situation, because we knew very well what was going on,” he said.
“I am optimistic, happy. What is most important is to all be on the same page, with the club.
“That players have a clear idea where we want to arrive and how we want to move, clear minds like today, Christian and different players. (Now) they’re only going to be focused on Tottenham, not on thinking about different things that make management so difficult.”
As well as toasting the closing of the transfer window, Spurs could also have been celebrating three points at Arsenal having led 2-0 in a thrilling north London derby.
Eriksen scored his 50th Premier League goal by tapping in from close range and then Harry Kane’s penalty — his 10th goal in 10 games against Arsenal — doubled the visitors’ lead.
But the Gunners crucially got one back on the stroke of halftime through Alexandre Lacazette and then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser earned a point. Pochettino was left to rue the Lacazette goal deep into first-half stoppage time.