Last week, Jan Vertonghen gave an interview that perked up the ears of a few Arsenal fans.
Hey, The Mirror even gave it the following title: “Vertonghen warns Arsenal that Spurs will be bigger and stronger after Bale exit”.
Whilst there’s little in his comments that come across as a direct challenge for Arsenal, the fact that it came a few days before the North London Derby was telling.
Some choice quotes are as follows: “I think it is going to be bruising playing Spurs this season…” and, “And the new players have just so much power.“
Whilst new signings like Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Etienne Capoue are all tall, physically imposing players, it doesn’t follow that they will make Tottenham stronger as a whole. Indeed, given what we’ve seen so far, I’m not sure how big an impact Chadli and Capoue will have this year.
Gareth Bale is a one-in-a-million player. His loss will be felt at White Hart Lane, regardless of how many players the club brings in to attempt to plug the gap.
His absence was certainly felt during the club’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. Indeed, this result made of mockery of some of Vertonghen’s comments.
Tottenham worked hard, fizzed the ball about as well as they could and occasionally got into dangerous positions. But it wasn’t enough. It was Arsenal who provided all the incision and created the best chances. Some of the Gunners interplay in tight positions was a joy to watch.
It was a good team performance from Arsenal. It may take a while for this Spurs team to produce similar displays.
It hasn’t helped that some pundits were tipping Spurs for the title this season. Ambition is all well and good, but let’s not pile too much pressure on this new look Tottenham team.
Let’s close with these final comments from Vertonghen: “We are one year older all of us, we have a little more experience, and I think we know a bit more how to win.”
This may be true, but Spurs still have a long way to go. With so many new players at White Hart Lane, it’s going to take a while for them to gel together. I’m not sure they’re a stronger unit than they were last year, not yet anyway.
What’s your take? Were Vertonghen’s comments badly judged, or will they be proven right over the course of the next year?
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Thank you for a very balanced assessment Tom
OUT – Bale
IN – Soldado/Lamela/Ericksen/Chadli/Capoue/Chiriches/Paulinho
Even how great Bale is he don’t make a team.
Spurs have replaced him with a team players altho not as great as him
but still good players.
Spurs lost 5-2 with Arsenal with Bale and without the new players…furthermore Arsenal control much of the game.
A team cannot depend on only one great player as this sort of player is doomed with inconsistency and injury which will affect the whole team to suffer.
A good team is the one everybody works hard with great understanding.
Spurs cannot depend on Bale alone to win matches.
rhuss may god bless you for that timely comment I totally agree with you bro let them run their mouths we will all see how it all plays out they have ozil that will Win the league for them? jokers losses arsenal will sink in the hands of spur with their ozil
Once all the players have had a chance to play together and understand each other the passing, movement and power will come be patient believe and support the club and team I think they will gel sooner rather than later .COYS
spurs had no chance of keeping bale but what have thay done with the money bought a load of dross we gone backwards someone wrote we need abydoda to come good would not hold my breath chalenge for no 1 lucky to get 10
junior Stuart or what ate u called I know you are an arsenal fan but tell u what you will sink With your pathetic club bet me to this