Former Premier League footballer Darren Ambrose has been speaking on TalkSport about his concern over how Antonio Conte may set Tottenham Hotspur up in the north London derby this weekend.
Spurs head into the derby third in the Premier League and just one point off top spot, which is held by their arch-rivals, so if Conte can mastermind a good performance and pick up three points, it would be a huge step forward.
However, Tottenham have not enjoyed their trips to the Emirates Stadium, having won just once in the league since Arsenal moved there in 2006, with their sole victory coming back in 2011, so the signs aren’t positive heading into Saturday.
Therefore, Ambrose believes that Conte could well set his team up for a draw to avoid defeat against the Gunners.
He said: “I’m concerned that Conte is going to go in it for a draw, I really am. I think he needs to go all out. Arsenal are going to look fresh, they’ve got a lot of players that haven’t been [on] international duty – Ben White, players like that. Saka didn’t play much of the last game.
Will Spurs win on Saturday?
Yes!
No!
“Whereas Spurs have obviously had all their players [away], but then on the flip-side, Son, Richarlison, Kane – they’ve all scored, so they’re going to be confident.
“I can see it ending a draw, if I’m being honest, and I think as a Spurs supporter, I’d take that now.”
TIF Thoughts on the north London derby…
The last time these two sides met was a huge clash at the end of last season which would’ve guaranteed Arsenal a spot in the Champions League had they been victorious, but Conte’s men managed to pick up all three points.
This, accompanied by the fact Spurs are one of two teams to still be unbeaten in the league this season, should give Conte’s side a huge confidence boost heading into a massive game that could determine the top four come May – so we don’t see why the Italian should play for a draw as Ambrose suggests.
This will be just the second team that either side have faced out of last season’s top six, with Spurs managing to draw with Chelsea, whereas Arsenal lost to Manchester United, so psychologically, Spurs may well think they have the upper hand heading into another crunch fixture.