Won’t take

BOSS AVOIDS WAR OF WORD

BRILLIANT Bukayo Saka stretched Arsenal’s lead in the top-four race – before Mikel Arteta swerved a war of words with Antonio Conte.

Tottenham boss Conte had let rip 24 hours earlier over complaints from the Gunners boss about fixture congestion, reminding everyone their bitter rivals called off the North London derby because of Covid.

However, having seen his troops move four points clear in fourth place by brushing aside disappointing Aston Villa, Arteta refused to hit back at the Italian’s taunts.

Instead, with a fifth straight away victory leaving them in pole position to qualify for their first Champions League campaign since 2016, he preferred to focus on positives. Arteta said: “I never comment on another manager’s comments. I only give my opinion.

“I can complain about what’s fair or not but I told you we’d be ready today. This is a big win after losing to Liverpool. Our personality and performance was excellent.”

As for his message heading into the final stretch, Arteta – who expects matchwinner

Saka to be fit for England duty despite coming off in the 70th minute – added: “We’ve ten games to go. That’s what matters. The past, including today, is now irrelevant.”

Despite the defeat to Liverpool, Arsenal still arrived here favourites to take fourth spot.

This was one of two games in hand they held over closest challengers Manchester United – and they meant business.

Villa, with eight wins and nine defeats in 19 games under Steve Gerrard, are a clearly mixed bag. But during the early stages here it was not a question of which Villa would show up – more would one show up at all?

Saka had one of his quietest games of the season against Jurgen Klopp’s title chasers