Tottenham Hotspur face their biggest game of the season on Thursday with any hopes of landing a spot in the Champions League seemingly now requiring three points against their rivals.
And ahead of the game, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has claimed no Spurs player would get in his combined XI as he wrote for the Daily Mail ahead of the North London Derby.
Will Spurs finish in the top four?
Yes
No
There are just four points separating the two clubs now but with just three games remaining, a win for the Gunners would see Mikel Arteta’s men secure that fourth spot.
Spurs have improved massively under Antonio Conte since November with the Italian rubbishing the notion of ending the campaign in the top four a few months ago.
However, despite the Lilywhites having scored more goals and conceded fewer than their North London rivals, Keown shared his bold verdict ahead of Thursday’s clash:
“It would be easy for me to name Harry Kane, but as an Arsenal man, I don’t want to take anything away from my team,” said Keown.
“This close to the battle, I’m focusing on my club, so there’s not a single Tottenham player I’d take. Not Kane. Not Son Heung-min. Not any of them.
“I wouldn’t want to say anything to hamper the confidence of someone like Eddie Nketiah, who’s been a revelation over the last four wins.”
TIF Thoughts on Keown’s comments…
We think it is apparent there are a number of Tottenham players who Keown would take in a heartbeat at Arsenal but it seems he is unwilling to suggest any of the current crop of Gunners are not up to the task ahead of Thursday.
There is no way Keown can look at the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – who have scored 33 in the league – and insist he would prefer the four-goal Eddie Nketiah upfront at the Emirates Stadium.
And even looking in defence, Cristian Romero has been an excellent acquisition for Spurs. Can Keown honestly insist he would not take the Argentine at Arsenal if he had the option?
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