Paul Merson says he has extra likelihood of profitable Strictly Come Dancing than Tottenham profitable silverware this season after Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou doubled down on his claims that he wins silverware in his second season at a membership.
Gabriel Magalhaes’ header secured Arsenal a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Sunday’s North London derby towards Spurs, who’ve gained only one out of their opening 4 matches and sit within the backside half of the desk.
The shape is a stark distinction from Postecoglou’s pre-season feedback the place he mentioned he “normally” wins trophies in his second season, however now, the Spurs boss has amended his assertion, saying he “all the time” wins trophies in his second season, in a touch that he’ll assure success this season.
“I am going to right myself: I do not normally win issues, I all the time win issues in my second yr. Nothing has modified,” Postecoglou informed Sky Sports activities.
“I do not say issues I do not imagine in.”
Redknapp: Ange wants to start out wining video games
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp:
“This time final yr Spurs have been unbelievable to observe, we have been waxing lyrical concerning the supervisor, the free-flowing soccer. Proper now, it’s not free-flowing. In the event you play effectively and don’t begin profitable, you begin to get days like Sunday when the standard drops.
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Requested about Postecoglou’s feedback and Spurs’ possibilities of silverware this season on Tremendous Sunday, Merson, who began his Strictly Come Dancing journey on Saturday night time, responded: “I like Ange, I like him. However I’ve obtained extra likelihood of profitable Strictly [than Ange winning something in his second season]!
“That is what likelihood they have. I do not see it in the intervening time.
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Annoyed Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou insisted he ‘all the time wins issues’ in his second season at a membership and believes his time at Spurs shall be no totally different regardless of defeat to Arsenal.
“There’s not loads flawed, however for those who take a look at them and take a look at Newcastle, Tottenham have been taking part in higher over the primary three video games – however Newcastle have extra factors than them. These are fantastic traces.
“In the event that they get prime 4, that will be wonderful. They may want Solanke to get 20 objectives, and also you solely get 20 objectives if the crossing improves. If that does not enhance, you may put Haaland up there and he would not get 20.
They’re both kicking a medication ball or a balloon. It’s one or the opposite. It’s both going nowhere or going miles over everyone. I’ve by no means seen crossing prefer it.
He added: “I do not suppose it is higher than final season to observe. Final season was higher than this season. They have been mind-blowing. As a impartial, I do like watching Tottenham, I like Ange, they play entertaining soccer – however among the large gamers must step up.
“James Maddison wasn’t nice on Sunday, he has obtained to step up. He is obtained to be higher. He is taking part in able the place you have to make issues occur. I do not personally suppose he did that on Sunday and taking a look at who he was taking part in up towards, he needs to be higher. I am not digging him out as a result of I am an enormous fan of his, however I’ve performed that place and know that he must do higher.”
Redknapp on Spurs frailties at set items…
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp:
“After I take a look at Tottenham, actually from set items, it appears like concern. It appears like they’re scared. For the objective, in that six-yard field everyone – James Maddison, Micky van de Ven – is simply holding on to their man for expensive life. It’s panic, it’s concern. Mikel Arteta mentioned it: can we get the supply proper? Can we assault the ball?
“Now I take into consideration the nice groups at set items, they used to maintain Didier Drogba as a free man as a result of they knew he may not be one of the best at getting concerned in marking someone. However you say to him: you go and assault the ball. You’re so good at attacking the ball, don’t fear about marking someone.
“Alan Shearer, when he defended the close to submit, he was all the time unbelievable at simply going to leap. I feel everyone seems to be so aware of not being the one who makes a mistake. I’ve obtained my man, I’m taking good care of this. As an alternative of pondering: there’s just one ball, let’s go and assault it and ensure they don’t rating.”
‘Arsenal’s defensive document reveals simply how good Man Metropolis are’
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was filled with reward for his aspect’s defensive show after they edged previous Tottenham Hotspur to win 1-0.
In the meantime, Arsenal’s victory, their third in a row on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ensures Mikel Arteta’s aspect stay inside two factors of champions Manchester Metropolis forward of subsequent Sunday’s blockbuster showdown on the Etihad Stadium, which is dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Arsenal have now gained 10 of their 11 away video games in 2024 with their solely draw coming away at champions Man Metropolis. Arteta’s aspect have conceded simply three objectives on their travels this yr as they put together to face Erling Haaland and co, and Merson believes his former aspect can now go to the Etihad filled with confidence after victory over Spurs.
“Enormous, big end result,” Merson informed Sky Sports activities.
“They have been lacking two of their large, large gamers and so they got here to Tottenham, their arch enemies and gained this sport – and comfortably, actually. I heard Son mentioned they dominated; they most likely did however by no means seemed like scoring. They’d a few half possibilities, that is not sufficient. The crossing wasn’t ok.
“The gamers that got here in for Arsenal – it is exhausting to come back in. Jorginho hasn’t performed for a very long time. However all of them got here in and did their jobs. If a kind of gamers will get lazy, Tottenham undergo you want a knife by way of butter. Their set-up was wonderful and so they counter-attacked, and have been good at set performs. One nil to the Arsenal.
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“Now they will go to the Etihad Stadium filled with confidence.
“All people would have been watching at this time, the entire of the Premier League, once they have been lacking Odegaard and Rice. I wasn’t as bullish this time round.
“However now this league is a heads or tails this yr. I all the time thought: who’s going to be sufficient to beat Man Metropolis over 38 video games. I see sufficient for Arsenal to be there. Arsenal have each likelihood of profitable this Premier League.”
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Gary Neville thinks Mikel Arteta is on the coattails of Pep Guardiola and Arsenal are critical contenders for the Premier League title.
He added: “I might play Jorginho subsequent week. When Man Metropolis go after you, he performs that fast move. He is obtained nice imaginative and prescient, he will get on the half-turn and passes that ball. That is what it’s good to do. You need to get previous the press, for those who do not it is a lengthy day at Manchester Metropolis. They go after you, all of them know the place they are going. Jorginho was glorious towards Man Metropolis on the Emirates, can he do it on the Etihad?
“That graphic [on Arsenal’s defence] tells you one factor and one factor solely: that is how good Man Metropolis are. In the event you’re not profitable the league and you’ve got an away document like that, it tells you the way good Man Metropolis are. We by no means give them that credit score: Man Metropolis are that, that good. It is that scary. Placing up these figures is unreal.”
Watch Man Metropolis vs Arsenal dwell on Sky Sports activities subsequent Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm