Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou unflustered by Arsenal title charge ahead of North London Derby
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou insists that wrecking Arsenal FC’s title hopes is not the mindset his side is carrying into this weekend’s North London Derby, and he would rather send his team out to fight for the top-four race.
Arsenal are set to visit White Hart Lane at the weekend as we prepare for the highly anticipated North London Derby. As the hosts chase qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the 2024–25 campaign, the visitors look to retain their bid for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta’s side has found their fiery form once again with their triumph over Chelsea in mid-week, as the Gunners thrashed Mauricio Pochettino’s side with five goals to nil. They would love to continue their form, coming into the all-important Derby.
While the hosts are looking to bounce back from a thumping of their own as Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United thrashed Spurs 4-0 at St. James Park the last time Ange Postecoglou’s side took field, however, it has been two weeks since the Lilywhites played, and they have had the time to regroup and come back with a renewed sense of determination and tactical adjustments to redeem themselves going into the final run of the season.
Ange Postecoglou downplays Arsenal rivalry as Spurs focused on top-four push
Postecoglou, in his pre-match press conference to the North London Derby, was quizzed about whether wrecking Arsenal’s title hopes served as an extra motivation to his side, acknowledging the arch-rivalry between both clubs, where he was quick to dismiss such motivations and spoke about chasing their own motivations in a top-four finish.
“Not in terms of that as a motivation,” Postecoglou said (via. The Telegraph).
“I understand the importance of winning against your traditional rival. I never believe your motivation should revolve around the demise of somebody else.
“Your motivation should be about yourself. We can win on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean we are title contenders this year. I want to win because I want us to progress. I want us to be in a position to fight for the title.
“If that’s your kind of measure, always peering over the back fence to see what your neighbour’s building is, you could both have the worst houses in the street because everyone else is building beautiful places and you’re looking over the back fence.”
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While the squad would be focused on their own goals, the fans would love to have a one-up on their neighbours. This is set to be a high-stakes, high-margin derby as both clubs walk into the game chasing motivations of their own.
