CONFIDENCE TRICK
BALE SAYS PALACE GOAL SPREE SETS SPURS UP PERFECTLY FOR ARSENAL SHOWDOWN
GARETH BALE insists Tottenham are bristling with belief going into the north London derby with Arsenal.
The Real Madrid loanee struck a brace in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace to continue his own excellent form.
Bale has hit a purple patch during the last few weeks, with six goals and three assists in his last six games in all competitions to help Spurs put together a four-game winning streak. It has ignited their topfour hopes in the Premier League at a crucial time, with a short trip to rivals Arsenal up next in the division next Sunday.
‘Going into next week’s game we have confidence behind us now but we know it’s going to be difficult,’ Bale said. ‘Obviously a midweek game (against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League) before that but we’ll recover and go again.’
Given Bale has started three games in a row, it is likely the Welshman will be on the bench for Thursday’s last-16 home tie with the Croatian outfit.
He talked up the overall attacking quality in the squad after Harry Kane (left) also hit a double in the triumph over Palace, Heung-min Son claimed an assist and Lucas Moura impressed, while Dele Alli, Steven Bergwijn, Tanguy Ndombele, Erik Lamela and Carlos Vinicius were all on the bench.
Bale said: ‘All the players, not just the ones playing but the ones on the bench, are all great players and we have to keep working hard and putting in performances to stay in the team.
‘It was great to get the three points and keep building on our winning run and to keep that winning mentality going.’
A Christian Benteke leveller for Palace on the stroke of half-time threatened to spoil proceedings for the hosts, but Bale completed his brace in the 49th minute before Kane produced a stunning effort three minutes later.
‘Maybe it was the best thing for that to happen,’ Bale admitted regarding the equaliser.
‘It kind of kick-started us again in the second half and we were going, attacking and pressing them high. I think it was the catalyst for us to really kick on and dominate the game.’