Arteta: Spurs can cause City problems
MIKEL Arteta has backed Tottenham Hotspur to cause Manchester City problems tomorrow night as the Arsenal boss crosses his fingers for a title race favour from their north London rivals.
Arsenal’s nervy 1-0 win at Old Trafford restored their one-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, but the title remains in City’s hands and two wins at Tottenham on Tuesday and West Ham at the Etihad on the final day will secure a fourth successive crown.
The Gunners clung on to a narrow win against Manchester United to open what Arteta called a “box of dreams”, with the title race now guaranteed to go down to the final day of the season, when Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates. While destiny remains in the hands of Pep Guardiola’s side, they have never won a league game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs also fought back from 3-0 down to narrowly lose 3-2 to Arsenal recently and Arteta is aware they won’t be easy opponents for City.
“We know we need it,” he said of hoping for a Tottenham win. “They are a really difficult team to play against. We suffered that a few weeks ago when we played them. So hopefully they can do it.”
Asked if City can feel the pressure like every other side, Arteta said: “I don’t know. That’s a question for them. We have to do our thing and wait.”
Guardiola’s former assistant at the Etihad is aware of the dangers
that lurk in every Premier League fixture and knows the race isn’t over yet. Regardless of who holds the power on the final day, Arteta is proud to have taken it the distance.
“My experience in this league is that any team can beat any team. I lived it various scenarios in the last day when a lot of teams have necessities,” he said.
“The margin of respect that everybody puts in the games is phenomenal. We know we need a result. We need to do our own thing still in the last game.
“But today, we wanted to open that box of dreams to live the last day of the season in front of our people with the opportunity to win the Premier League.
“That’s something we’re going to live together and I’m so pleased we’re gonna do it with these players and staff.”