Wenger vows to fix power shift in Spurs showdown
LONDON: Arsene Wenger has warned Tottenham that Arsenal wil l 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.
Hav i ng f i n i she d b e low 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 top-four 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.
Ar s ena l haven’ t b eaten 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.
“The conclusion of people will be the comparison of the two performances on Saturday. We have a good opportunity to show we are the strongest, so let’s do it.
“It’s one of the fixtures that is very important for us and that we want to win, basically as well because in the table we have to make some ground up with the top teams.
“Our home strength wi l l certainly be vital to decide where we finish at the end of the season.” — AFP