Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has revealed he is seriously worried about Tottenham winning some silverware which will eradicate any bragging rights for the Gunners and their fans this season.
The Lilywhites exacted revenge in the second north London derby in a matter of weeks on Wednesday, defeating Unai Emery’s men 2-0 at home in the League Cup after being beaten 4-2 at the start of December.
With victory taking Spurs into the semi finals of the cup competition, Merson has said that the lack of trophies for Arsenal’s local rivals is the only thing Arsenal fans like him are holding onto and that seeing Spurs triumph is the absolute worst.
He told Sky Sports’ The Debate (19/12, 22:15): “I’d be worried now for Arsenal, two bad results in four days. I thought this run was covering up the cracks a lot of the time.
“It was a big game, the last thing Arsenal fans need is Tottenham winning a trophy because at the moment that’s the only thing they are hanging on to – ‘Well Tottenham don’t win anything.’
“If they went and won this cup, you know, one minute it’s Thursday night football and then it’s going to be Tottenham win a cup, it can’t get any worse.”
Opinion
This is exactly what local rivalry is all about. Merson might be a pundit nowadays and some would expect him to be a bit more impartial but he is not shying away from nailing his colours to the mast. Honestly though, seeing Tottenham win the League Cup would not mean anything if Arsenal could leapfrog them in the Premier League table this season. Some might argue that any trophy is important but the League Cup is the least important out of every competition the clubs are playing for and the Gunners perhaps won the north London derby which really mattered. Staying on Spurs’ tail in the Premier League hunt for a top four spot must be Emery’s aim for the rest of the season and so more games for Tottenham might not be the worst thing in the world for the Gunners. Of course, if Tottenham do go on to win a trophy and finish ahead in the top flight table then there will be bitter disappointment.