New interim boss Igor Tudor will be aiming to fire Tottenham to all three points against Arsenal in the North London derby.
Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Arsenal.
After Thomas Frank left the club in 16th position and only five points above the drop zone, Igor Tudor has been handed a short-term remit: steady the ship and ensure the club retains its top-flight status. Relegation talk has caused hysteria within the fanbase, but in the Croat, who has developed a reputation as a firefighter in his managerial career in recent years, there is confidence that everything will be alright in the end.
However, Tudor’s first game in the Spurs dugout will be the heated North London derby. There is palpable tension gripping both dressing rooms for contrasting reasons, and this is what makes this edition of the North London derby even more tasty.
Stuart Pearce gives bold verdict on Tottenham vs. Arsenal
The Tottenham squad is stretched to its limit due to injuries, and the confidence is low in the dressing room. Tudor must pick his boys up and give them the belief to perform on Sunday.
The same could be said about Mikel Arteta as well, especially after his Arsenal side surrendered a two-goal lead to draw against the bottom-of-the-table Wolves side in midweek. Arteta’s side have been struggling in the title race in recent weeks, winning just two of their last seven fixtures. The result at Molineux came as a huge blow, leaving them now only five points clear of chasers Manchester City, but the Gunners have played a game more.
TalkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein asked former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce which team needs the win more on Sunday. Stuart Pearce was quick to respond to Arsenal to keep the pressure on Manchester City chasing the title. The ex-England defender also added that Spurs would not get relegated, given their remaining fixtures.
Andy Goldstein (AG): “You’ve said Arsenal 1-0, right? 1-0 Arsenal, okay, who needs the three points the most?
Stuart Pearce (SP): “Arsenal. It doesn’t matter and I’m going to make a statement here. Arsenal need it to keep the pressure on Man City they’re chasing a league title I’ve looked at some of the fixtures that Tottenham have if they don’t win this right. Tottenham have got Crystal Palace at home, Forest at home, Brighton at home, Leeds at home, Wolves away in their remaining games. If they can’t get the points they need, it’s a pride thing for them. I think it’s more than the pride thing for Arsenal.”
AG: “You don’t think Spurs will go down?”
SP: “No chance. Not with those fixtures.”
Tottenham need the points more!
It is all about perspectives here. Both Tottenham and Arsenal are poles apart in the table, and there are reasons for that. Arsenal have finished second in the last two seasons and look determined to cross the final hurdle this time around. However, like we’ve witnessed plenty of times, the Gunners are faltering at a crucial juncture, and their nerves were visible in the 2-2 draw at Wolves.
Spurs, on the other hand, are trying to survive in the top flight. Tudor is the man tasked with keeping Tottenham in the Premier League, and to make his life easier, the club added three crucial members to his backroom staff on Friday. The big Croatian could become an immediate hero in the hearts of our fans if he guides the team to victory over the Gunners.
Not only would a win represent a psychological boost to the Lilywhites’ squad, but also strike a piercing blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations. Without any second thoughts, Tudor’s side needs the points more than Arteta’s boys, and they would have to prove that on Sunday.