Pochettino takes a dig at ‘ disrespectful’ Arsenal ahead of derby

THE English League Cup spotlight will shine brightest on north London for this week’s quarter-finals.

Arsenal host neighbours Tottenham Hotspur in the Wednesday marquee match-up of three all-Premier League ties in the last eight.

Holders Manchester City visit Leicester and Chelsea host Bournemouth in the others, while League One minnows Burton Albion are at Middlesbrough to round out the field.

It’s the second meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham this month after the Gunners’ 4-2 league win on December 2.

Arsenal will be smarting after a shock 3-2 loss at lowly Southampton on Sunday ended their 22-match unbeaten run.

“We can’t let our heads drop from this defeat, we just have to push on to the next match,” midfielder Alex Iwobi said.

“We have to react well, we have to keep on going.”

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino added a little more spice to the fixture by suggesting Arsenal weren’t gracious in their celebrations after their earlier win.

“Of course it hurt because it is a derby but in case we win it is going to be the same,” the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

“It is not to be disrespectful – I think they weren’t respectful to us.

“They showed their happiness for their fans from the changing room but that is fair enough.”

Manchester City and Leicester are meeting in the quarter-finals for the second straight season after Pep Guardiola’s side won a penalty shoot-out a year ago.

While Man City continue to be their dominant selves near the top of the Premier League, the Foxes have won just once in six games to fall into the bottom half.

“Whenever you lose a game you’re always looking for your next one and thankfully it’s only in a couple of days,” Harry Maguire said following Saturday’s loss to Crystal Palace.

“We’ll prepare well for Tuesday, another big game, the quarter-final of the cup.

“Hopefully we can put on a performance and get the result that warrants it.”

Chelsea and Bournemouth are also going in different directions with the Blues near the top of the league and the Cherries losing for a sixth time in seven games at the weekend.

“The only way we can turn it around is to get a result, get a performance and get the two married together and kick on from there,” Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said of the Wednesday fixture.

Third-tier Burton Albion have made the quarter-finals for the first time and there’s no shortage of confidence heading into their match today against a Middlesbrough side sitting sixth in the Championship.

Especially with a two-legged semi-final showdown against a Premier League side next month as the reward.

“We want to go there to win,” goalkeeper Brad Collins told the club’s website.

“If we win this game we are in the semis against the big boys over two legs and that would be fantastic for the club.

“This is a big, big game and we want to win no doubt about it. We are going there to fight and do our best.”