SPURS HAVE IT ALL TO LOSE!
Arteta cranks up the mind games on Tottenham ahead of last day
MIKEL ARTETA cranked up the heat on Tottenham as he insisted they have it all to ‘lose’ today.
Everyone reckons Antonio Conte’s men are dead certs to win the top-four race and secure Champions League football – ahead of Arsenal – by grabbing at least a point at relegated Norwich.
Well, everyone but Arteta, who argues those hefty expectations on Arsenal’s bitter rivals will make finishing the job at Carrow Road that much trickier.
And on the eve of the final-day shootout between the north London giants, the Gunners chief was also quick to remind Spurs that not long ago it was his troops bossing the battle.
All evidence of how swiftly situations can change.
Chance
Arteta, whose side must beat Everton at home to have a chance of getting back among Europe’s elite, warned: “We were in that position a few days ago and we lost that opportunity.
‘Now it’s down to them to lose it!”
As unlikely as that seems – Norwich have scored only once in the last five games – his comments were definitely more than some desperate attempt at mind games.
For Arteta has personal experience – as an Arsenal player – of how last-day tension and nerves can play havoc with the head. At the end of 2012-13, Arsene Wenger’s Gunners (below) went to Newcastle needing to match Spurs’ result at home to Aston Villa to ensure Champions League qualification.
They did but it was close as each scraped 1-0 wins.
Arteta, who hobbled off after 20 minutes, said: “Probably, I am more optimistic about this Sunday because I lived it and know how it feels. I know how you feel a few days before when you say, ‘OK, we are going to Newcastle, they have
nothing to play for’.
“And the closer you are to the game, you think, ‘Wow, this is going to be a tough
match’.
“That day we had four injured players who might not have played.
“I had to play with injections and then come off because I could not help anymore. Anything can happen.”
As for the Canaries’ worrying lack of firepower, Arteta, 40, smiled and said: “It’s because they’re keeping the goals for Sunday!”
Faith
However the rollercoaster season ends, Arteta has urged the Arsenal fans to keep the faith with Bukayo Saka and Co – and vowed there will be no change in his philosophy of developing young talent.
“They’re not going to be kids for the rest of their lives,” he added.
“Next season, they’ll be more mature. I’m so grateful for what they’ve done. We’re sticking with them because they deserve that.”