Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger are experiencing very different fortunes at the moment
The last few seasons has seen the gap between north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham disintegrate. Last season, Tottenham looked set to finish above their rivals for the first time since 1995.
However, an end of season collapse saw Spurs run out of steam and Arsenal snatched second spot, while their local rivals finished third.
In truth, though, Tottenham were the better of the two sides for much of the campaign.
There seems little doubt that Spurs will finish ahead of their arch-rivals this season.
The men from White Hart Lane are currently second in the Premier League, a massive 14 points ahead of the Gunners.
Tottenham have a chance to extend that gap as they host Bournemouth in the early kick off on Saturday, a game in which they are odds of 2/7 to win.
A major contrast between the managers
What sums up the difference between the two clubs is the status of their respective bosses. Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino is considered one of the brightest young coaches in European football.
In contrast Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is now regarded as a has-been, with the club struggling to clinch a top four spot this season after a difficult campaign.
Pochettino seems to be playing down the fact that Spurs are set to finish above their local rivals. The Argentine is looking at the bigger picture of attempting to catch league leaders Chelsea in the race for the title.
Wenger meanwhile has been trying to deflect questions about his own future for the last few months. The tide of opinion has turned against the Frenchman. The fans made their feelings clear on Monday night as the Gunners went down 3-0 at Crystal Palace.
Not only did the fans show their disgust at Wenger’s performance as boss, but also booed the players and chanted that the players ‘were not fit to wear the shirt’.
Tottenham a team striking a good balance
While Arsenal struggle to pick up points in the Premier League, Tottenham’s vibrant young team have been impressing with a brand of football Wenger would be proud of.
The likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen Heung min Son and of course Harry Kane are so exciting to watch. Only Chelsea and Liverpool have scored more goals than Spurs this season in the top-flight. Pochettino’s side certainly look like they are going places.
However, for all their attacking threat, Tottenham have also conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season. Pochettino has found the perfect balance between attack and defence.
By contrast, Arsenal have conceded 17 more goals in the top-flight this season and scored three fewer goals. The numbers will not make for pretty reading for anybody connected with the Gunners.
It is Tottenham’s time in the sun
As a neutral, it is easy to make a judgement on the two teams. From the outside looking in Tottenham are in far better shape. They have a very good young boss, a committed young team and a set-up that looks set to help them challenge at the top of the Premier League table in the near future.
For years Spurs fans have had to suffer living in the shadow of Arsenal. However, the Gunners are in disarray. There are doubts over the future of their long-serving boss and also their star players.
Tottenham fans could be forgiven for taking delight in the current situation, but something tells me that this season will not be the last that Tottenham finishes above Arsenal in the near future.
Are Tottenham now the dominant force in north London?
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