Since Capello resigned, Spurs have played 4 Premier League games and have won just once. To make matters worse, their drop to a win ratio of just 25% post-Capello has coincided with fixtures against a renascent Everton and top four rivals Manchester United and Arsenal themselves. Their only win in that 4-game run was the former most and saw Tottenham demolish Newcastle United by 5 goals to nil. The final can of worms, following the title hopes evaporating, the England job vacating and their form disintegrating , was opened by Harry Redknapp himself: “the most important thing for me this year to be honest,[is] to be the top London club.”
Tottenham’s lead over Arsenal, which was ten points going into February, could be cut to just one by late Monday night – the comments sparked retaliation from Wenger and the retaliation sparked focus and now, going into the last ten games of the season, the momentum is all with The Gunners.
At current, Tottenham have the upper hand and it is in theirs to do with what they please: yet, knowing that Arsenal have always trumped them under Wenger will undoubtedly increase the pressure on already strained shoulders and the Frenchman is confident in his recently galvanised side: “the only thing you can say is in the last 15 years Spurs have finished behind Arsenal.”
In recent years, the past six coinciding with Arsenal’s trophyless stretch, Tottenham have pushed The Gunners to the final few games before St. Totteringham’s Day has been celebrated. Out of the past six seasons, four of them have seen Arsenal unable to celebrate their dominance until either the very last game of the season (2005/06 & 2009/10), or with three games left (2006/07 & 2010/11). It is expected that this one will again go down to the wire, but for Tottenham to have had such control and see it all but disintegrate, will seem like an opportunity missed for Spurs if they do not hold on to their third place position.
Even more worrying for Tottenham, would be the threat of slipping out of Champions League qualification altogether. Harry Redknapp expressed his disinterest in the Europa League early this season and if they fail to qualify for the Champions League and England come knocking, next season could look rather ominous in comparison to their current position. Only four points separate Tottenham from fifth place Chelsea.
Ultimately, after the season they’ve endured, Arsenal will appreciate what they’ve previously taken for granted – finishing above Tottenham. On the flipside, Tottenham will be frustrated to see their leading position slip away from them: however, if Champions League football is still secured, you can’t see many fans worrying about it for too long.
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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This has been renamed Arsenaltopupday it starts with a devastaing defeat 4-0 then backed up by a cup defeat. This shocks the team into a high tempo causing a fast fast new way of playing even rubbish players start playing like Rosicky Benanyoun. Then late late goals come one after the other and weight loss ill nastie looking players full of this Tut short for Top Up Tempo so popular in desperate teams. Since Doctor Wenger has been Arsenals Managers they have won things with cocaine addicts Agams and Merson and now we are watching a thin hyper active team with players i no came from teams who used energy drugs. I wont name them but one starred against Spurs so brag but very soon illness will strike unless Doctor Wenger rest some of his players burn out will follow and Tottenham will finish 3rd
Is this whilst you are smoking the wacky stuff?
DAVSPURS ..
You must be amongst the minority in the spuds fan base. You can actually type, although you probably used your knuckles, Amazing .. Now that you have had your day out from the ayslum it’s time to Jog on back !!
Gunner for 3rd place and spurs in our shadows again !!
So what are we supposed to call the date when Arsenal visit the Lane, cos they keep losing to us each time? Is that St. Arse day???
Oh yeah by the way, if you don’t want us commenting on your crappy sites, don’t include words and names associated with the MIGHTY SPURS in the titles of your rubbish articles!!
Rubbish or you just don’t like that it isn’t licking your arse like the rest of the media have all season?
I’m 49 years old and can proudly say Tottenham Shitespurs have never been League champions in my lifetime.
I have more respect for the Pikey West Londoners, QPR, than the planks up the Seven Sisters Road.
Biggest mugs in London, and for ever in our shadows.
C’mon you riproarin’ . . .