Until Lawrie McMenemy informed readers of his weekly blog for the Southern Daily Echo, that he regularly observes geographical dominance in football over time, citing Manchester’s recent prominence, I’d not really paid a great deal of attention to it. However, with Harry Redknapp giving up on Spurs’ thin title hopes and proclaiming the new aim is to finish as the best placed team in London, similar to Arsene Wenger’s creation of a “trophy” in the form of a 4th place finish with every other cup eluding him much like Andrei Arshavin’s form all season, it’s suddenly become a heated talking point. Who will finish as the top London club?
Tottenham Hotspur
This season’s creator of the London mini-league 2011/12 is Harry Redknapp of Tottenham. Not content with winning something in which all teams start on an equal standing- the Premier League, for example – the possible future England manager announced war on the other four London clubs prior to playing North London rivals Arsenal last week, at which point his side had a 10-point lead over the closest fellow London club, The Gunners. Fortunately, Arsenal came back from a 2-goal deficit to win 5-2, to ensure that the fight for London dominance isn’t already over with 12 games still left to play.
However, unlike Arsenal, bar the slaughtering to their rivals, momentum is very much with Tottenham. Although any glimmer of hope may well have entirely evaporated last weekend, when it comes to the title, Harry Redknapp’s side have a focus on ensuring Champions League qualification and still have one eye on the F.A. Cup. With Louis Saha’s transfer seemingly giving the Frenchman a new lease of life, as well only his second France cap since 2006, having hit three goals in four appearances since his move from Everton, Spurs’ frontline looks suitably stocked on strikers to fire the White Hart Lane dwellers to the highest finish position of the London clubs.
The Lilywhites must be careful, though: with just a seven-point lead on Arsenal and Manchester United to face on Sunday, before having to play both Chelsea and Fulham before the season is out, their position as the dominant London side is far from guaranteed.
Domination chances 8/10.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger allegedly didn’t take the 4-0 first leg result very well. Not surprising, really. However, the beginning of the season Wenger, the irate arm flapping and hair pulling one, supposedly made a return at the training ground the next day and although it may’ve motivated a few, it didn’t motivate enough of them/them enough to beat Sunderland for a second time in two weeks. This leaves them out of F.A. Cup, and now, barring a Champions League miracle on par with something Jesus would do, Arsenal have only the Premier League to channel their energy on.
Initially, having seen silverware hopes twice dashed in five days, Wenger announced that “The first trophy is to finish in the top four”: however, having closed the gap on Tottenham to just seven, Wenger may wish to reassess the real “trophy” once more. Before his side’s memorable comeback, the Frenchman added fuel to the fire, stating that, “the only thing you can say is in the last 15 years Spurs have finished behind Arsenal.”
With that particular bragging right in threat of disappearing and the London dominance in contention, Wenger’s real trophy finish will be to trump Spurs. However, with Chelsea level on points, The Gunners must be careful of being overtaken by West London’s offering. Arsene Wenger’s award of the Manager of the Month for February should alleviate some of the pressure on his shoulders: however, fans will be fully aware of their team’s ability to go from looking unbeatable to losing to the likes of Wigan, as is their inconsistency.
Domination chances 6/10.