We’re both chasing four monsters now
CONTE BEMOANS THE BIG BEASTS’ SPENDING POWER
TOTTENHAM V ARSENAL 7.45PM, SKY SPORTS
ANTONIO CONTE says Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting against monsters this season.
The Spurs head coach believes tonight’s North London derby features two sides playing catch-up to a beastly ‘Big Four’.
Conte thinks there has not been a ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League since he led Chelsea to the title in 2017, believing that the spending power of his former club, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United puts them way out in front.
And the Italian says the only reason Arsenal and Spurs have a shot at the Champions League this season is because United have imploded.
Conte said: “The situation in England is very clear. You have monsters. And you have Tottenham and Arsenal.
“United is strange because they finished second last season and added Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho. And they are fighting for sixth place.
“Maybe it means Arsenal and Tottenham did something incredible to overcome United. But only this.
“At the start the race for the Champions League seems close, four teams: City, Liverpool, United and Chelsea. Then it happens during the season that someone can be in trouble and you have to be ready. It happened this season.
“We are trying with Arsenal to find a position in the Champions League. In England, it’s like winning a title in another country. It is a big achievement.
“Don’t forget that when I was at Chelsea, Tottenham were in the top four and the team were really, really strong. If you compare Tottenham three, four or five years ago to this moment they have dropped the level.”
Conte believes there are two key things he needs to get Spurs regularly competing for the big prizes again – time and money.
He said: “City, Liverpool and Chelsea had time to work with the same coach to improve with big investment.
“For this reason now there is a gap. An important gap. If you work very hard and continue a process to improve the situation you can hope one day to fight for something important.”
Conte also warned Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to expect a different Spurs team to the one they brushed aside 3-1 at the Emirates in September before his arrival. He said: “Many situations have changed and now we want to show we are a good team and we can fight for a Champions League place.” TOTTENHAM (probable): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Davies; Royal, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Sessegnon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.
ARSENAL (probable): Ramsdale; Tavares, White,
Gabriel, Soares; Xhaka, Elneny; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Nketiah.