The Mail on Sunday

‘Europa League derby’ shows the task ahead

- Danny Murphy

IT is unusual for a north London derby to only have Europa League football riding on it. Arsenal are unbeaten in five and Spurs haven’t conceded in two but the reality for both clubs is that they face a long-term project.

Arsenal are moving in the right direction under manager Mikel Arteta. They’ve played with more discipline, energy and togetherne­ss in the short time he’s been there. You can see they have a direction now.

The biggest plus is his belief in the youngsters. Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli have all had chances. Alexandre Lacazette may get his chance today with Nketiah suspended.

Expectatio­ns are higher at Spurs because they reached the Champions League final last season and because Jose Mourinho has this record of winning trophies at every club he’s managed. But Mourinho needs funds in the transfer market as they are so reliant on Harry Kane.

The Tottenham defence isn’t as good as it was under Mauricio Pochettino. Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose have left and Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweire­ld are older. Neither Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko nor Tanguy Ndombele want to ‘sit’ like Nemanja Matic does at Manchester United. It is an area they need to address.

KEEP KANE AND AUBAMEYANG

THE most important business for Spurs and Arsenal this summer is keeping Kane and PierreEmer­ick Aubameyang. Any fee received or savings in wages would be spent on having to sign a replacemen­t who wouldn’t be as good — no world-class striker is going to north London with no immediate prospect of Champions League football.

Aubameyang’s attitude playing on the left has been very good. Maybe having the captain’s armband has helped. My message to the Arsenal board would be to roll out the red carpet on a new contract. I know they got stung with the Mesut Ozil deal but this isn’t the same. Spurs wouldn’t be able to replace Kane. I don’t think he is looking to jump ship now but if Spurs are in the same boat this time next year, he might look at his options.

There has been talk of

Mourinho’s tactics stifling Kane, who has had only one shot on target in three games. I think it’s more a lack of confidence in the personnel around the England captain that is a problem.

It’s clear Mourinho doesn’t trust leaving two at the back and going toe-to-toe against teams. The best results, like the 2-0 win against Manchester City, have come by digging it out.

YOUTH LIFT FOR ARSENAL

THE upside of football’s financial uncertaint­y is seeing kids from the academies given a proper chance. Arsenal have a batch of youngsters, with 18-year-old Saka really standing out. With Arsenal’s difficulti­es in spending big in the transfer market, Saka will be fast-tracked. Having good older profession­als at a club is also so important for youngsters. When I had a dip at Liverpool, having broken into the team, it was team-mates like Gary McAllister and Didi Hamann who helped me through.

I’m sure that’s one of the reasons David Luiz was given a new contract.

DELE ALLI

IT is important for Tottenham, and Kane, to have Alli back to his best. He’s what I’d call a street footballer. He enjoys playing for the pure love of the game and is at his best when trying things on the pitch and expressing himself.

It was extraordin­ary to arrive from MK Dons and quickly jump into the Spurs and England first team. He’s still only 24. If he recaptures peak form, it’ll be like a new signing for Tottenham.

TOP-FOUR CHALLENGE

I DON’T see either club being in next season’s top four unless they embark on a heavy summer of recruitmen­t, which looks unlikely. Long-term, Arsenal look fine because of the young talent coming through. Spurs have the edge at the moment because of the experience in their squad. I’d expect them to finish above Arsenal this season and next, particular­ly as a full season from Kane guarantees you 20 or 25 goals. Both teams are clearly behind Liverpool, Manchester City and probably Chelsea and Manchester United — but there is enough quality to produce a cracking north London derby.

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BIG ISSUES: Jose Mourinho
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