ARTETA: WE MUST BE PERFECT TO GRAB TITLE
Fans are running out of patience after yet another costly error
MIKel arTeTa insists arsenal will still require almost perfection to win the Premier league title — despite the derby victory over Tottenham yesterday taking them eight points clear at the top of the table. an own goal from Hugo lloris and a long-range effort from Martin Odegaard gave arsenal their first victory at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium — and their first league win at spurs since 2014. It means, after Manchester City’s defeat at rivals Manchester United, arsenal extended their lead as they chase a first title since the Invincibles of 2003-04.
But five of the past six champions have surpassed 90 points and arteta expects his side to have to match that haul. arsenal are currently on course for 99 points, having taken 47 points from 18 matches. ‘It will demand almost perfection,’ arteta said. ‘It’s a great position to be in. let’s enjoy the moment and keep focusing. The enjoyment is going to come if we keep focusing on what we have to do.’ arteta also praised his side’s ‘courage, determination and quality’.
But he conceded that this win carried greater ‘psychological and emotional’ significance than simply the three points. ‘This obviously has a big emotional attachment because there is a big history between the two clubs and it means so much to our people to win this game,’ he said. ‘Going in the dressing room and just feeling the joy and the togetherness around the team and how much it meant for them is special.
‘We know that we are here because of the way we play and the way that we are and the way that we live together and the unity that we have. We must not forget that.’
OH now you want to talk,’ muttered Hugo Lloris under his breath as he declined interview requests in the aftermath of England’s heartbreaking defeat by France in the world Cup.
His response was noticeably terse, almost bitter. It has since transpired Lloris took umbrage at assertions made before the quarter-final that he was a weak link for France. He would have enjoyed that moment, who doesn’t like having the last laugh?
Fast forward five weeks and he is facing similar accusations back at Tottenham. Life comes at you quickly and unfortunately for Lloris, the joke was on him here yesterday and Premier League leaders Arsenal were giggling at his expense.
Lloris’s predicament was not helped by the fact opposite number Aaron Ramsdale was adding to his reputation as one of the best emerging goalkeepers in European football with another bulletproof display. on the odd occasion that Tottenham managed to breach Arsenal, they were faced with Ramsdale in one of those moods where he would not let a mother with a double-buggy pass.
For so long there has been no realistic challenger to Jordan Pickford’s role as England’s no 1 but do not be surprised if Ramsdale overtakes the Everton goalkeeper for England at Euro 2024.
Ironically, Pickford is one of the names under consideration by Tottenham to eventually replace Lloris — a transfer that would bring the fight to be England manager Gareth Southgate’s first-choice into sharper focus.
But that is all for the future. For Tottenham, the form of Lloris is a problem in the here and now.
The goalkeeper was fortunate Arsenal did not take an early lead after his dawdling on the ball led to him redeeming his own mistake to deny Eddie nketiah a certain goal.
His next error, in the 14th minute, gifted Arsenal the lead. oK, Bukayo Saka’s effort was fiercely struck and took a deflection off Ryan Sessegnon, but Lloris somehow contrived to get himself into a real mess — falling back to divert a cross-cum-shot into his own net.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium fell silent for a second. Even the Arsenal supporters did a doubletake before springing into a frenzy.
This was a blunder of epic proportions in a fixture of huge consequences. Lloris shook his head as he rose to his feet, but there was no one else to blame.
It is a problem that has become increasingly prevalent at Tottenham in recent months. Is Lloris the weakest link in this Spurs team? Probably not — but that isn’t anything to write home about.
This is a Spurs side in need of drastic repair as they have greater deficiencies than Lloris.
But his catalogue of errors is growing. Mistakes against Aston Villa and newcastle led to goals and defeats, while another error-strewn display in the first north London derby of the season saw Arsenal ease home 3-1 winners at the Emirates.
Sections of the match- going fanbase have had enough. It seems his manager Antonio Conte is reaching the end of his tether, too.
The Spurs boss was at pains to back Lloris after his latest aberration, insisting the 36-year-old remains ‘one of the best goalkeepers in the world’.
But the machinations behind the scenes suggest differently.
There was hope Lloris, who retired from international football last week, could see out his contract, which expires at the end of next season, as the club’s no 1 before riding off into the sunset in his 38th year.
But the process of bringing the curtain down on Lloris’ decade-long period as the club’s first- choice goalkeeper is accelerating.
Tottenham’s recruitment staff are identifying Lloris’ replacement with a view to making a signing before next season.
Spurs want a goalkeeper who is comfortable in possession, one who can make rapid decisions with the ball at his feet — a trait Lloris noticeably struggles with. Pickford has all the attributes Tottenham are looking for. Indeed, if Everton are relegated that deal should be straightforward to complete — though when Daniel Levy is involved it is hard to second guess.
Brentford’s David Raya and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez, both of whom excel in possession, are also options.
It is hard to pillory Lloris. He has saved Tottenham with his brilliance time and time again.
During a barren era, at least in terms of trophies, Lloris’s excellence has been a constant — but all good things come to an end.
For Lloris, it appears that time is approaching.