Mikel Arteta needs top four more than Antonio Conte does
When I was playing there were some mad North London derbies, the one Spurs won 3-2 after being 2-0 down and then coming back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3.
When I look at it now, Arsenal have dropped away from then because they were going for the title but Tottenham have been so inconsistent this year.
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Both have a chance now of cementing 4th and that would be a huge achievement for either manager, really.
I think, probably, Mikel Arteta needs it more.
I think people are still unsure about him and he still gets a bit of stick sometimes. If he gets in the Champions League that’s a good season.
Antonio Conte’s safe. He’s turned Tottenham around and everyone wants him to stay. But, with Arteta, if he can finish above them, and they’re favourites to do so, he still gets a bit of grief. I think he’s done a good job.
Conte right to go defensive against Liverpool
I know Jurgen Klopp moaned about Conte’s tactics last weekend but if they had come out and played against Liverpool they’d have got absolutely battered.
I thought Conte got it absolutely spot on and got a result.
I’ve played in teams that are the underdogs and it’s hard. You’ve got to concentrate for the full 90 minutes and take your chances.
I thought Tottenham did that and they could even have nicked it if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had gone for goal right at the end.
Good times ahead for Arsenal
In terms of Arsenal, they’re miles off Manchester City and Liverpool but that’s just where they are. I think, personally, they’ve got a good manager in charge and that they’re buying the right people.
They’re starting to buy younger and they’re players who fit a little bit.
Aaron Ramsdale could be the No.1 for a while, I think they need to add up top. Erling Haaland would have been a great shout but him going to City means they might be able to get Gabriel Jesus who would be really good for them.
They’re improving, that’s all they can do.
It could be worse, they could be Manchester United!
But listen, Arsenal just fallen well short of the old standards but they’ve got a good manager in charge and the recruitment has been a lot better.
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