Arsenal primed for test of title credentials at Spurs
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to prove they have learned the lessons of last season’s disastrous defeat at Tottenham when the Premier League leaders visit their north London rivals today.
Although Arsenal powered to a 3-1 victory in the derby in October — making it three wins in the last four meetings — it is the painful memory of their most recent trip to Tottenham that remains etched in the minds of Arteta’s players.
With just three games remaining last season, Arsenal would have been guaranteed to qualify for the Champions League if they won at fellow top four contenders Tottenham in May.
Instead, they crumbled to a woeful 3-0 defeat, then lost the next match at Newcastle to allow Tottenham to pip them to fourth place in a collapse that sparked furious criticism of Arteta from frustrated fans.
It was a debacle that could have proved fatal to Arteta’s Arsenal project, but the Spaniard has impressively made amends with his astute leadership during a campaign that has exceeded all expectations.
Arteta believes the bitter taste from last season’s surrender at Tottenham has played a significant role in fuelling Arsenal’s title push.
“That was the result and the performance. There was a lot of things to learn and take from it,” Arteta said. “We are in a different place now and we have to show we can play the way we want.”
Unbeaten in their last 11 league games, the Gunners find themselves with a golden opportunity to win the title for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles reigned supreme in 2004.
With champions Manchester City looking more vulnerable than usual and Liverpool struggling to shake off a season-long funk, Arsenal have seized the initiative in the title race with a remarkable 14 wins from their 17 games.
Fifth-placed Tottenham, who haven’t lost at home to Arsenal since 2015, are desperate for a win themselves as they chase a top-four finish.
Antonio Conte’s side have the added threat of Harry Kane looking for the goal that would move him level with Jimmy Greaves’ Tottenham record of 266.
Emery’s Villa beat Leeds
Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery continued with a 2-1 win over a luckless Leeds at Villa Park on Friday.
Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia struck in either half as Villa bounced back from a shock FA Cup exit to League Two Stevenage last weekend.
Patrick Bamford pulled a goal back for Leeds seven minutes from time, but defeat leaves Jesse Marsch’s men still just two points above the relegation zone.
Villa stay in 11th, but are now level on points with Chelsea after a run of just one defeat in six league games since Emery took charge in October.
Bailey was left in tears after the final whistle in Villa’s previous league game against Wolves after missing a glorious late chance to win the game.