Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, is of the opinion that Tottenham’s plans to relocate to a new stadium will be “very difficult”.
Wenger is set to lead his boys to White Hart Lane on Sunday for the last time before the Spurs make a one season move to Wembley as their new home undergoes construction.
The Gunners were also in the same position in when they relocated from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, a period which was encompassed with readjustment and financial crisis.
But ever since they made the move, Arsenal have not managed to recapture the EPL title which they last won in 2004. Wenger was also forced to offload a plethora of talent so as to balance the books.
And now as he plans to make his 50th London derby, a man reputable for having a keen eye on talent and details believes his fierce rivals will have it rough before their new stadium feels home.
In his response to a question inquiring the extent to which the Spurs will face difficulties, Wenger said that it will be “Very difficult, much more you can imagine.”
He highlighted the issue of financial restrictions, which Arsenal also encountered. Then the idea of finding it hard to feel at home would lead to a situation of struggle to recreate the club’s history and make the place feel at home. He estimates that could take away as much as two years.
If Tottenham wins the Sunday derby, they will be guaranteed of finishing above their neighbors for the first time since 1995.
St Totteringham’s Day – Tottenham move to new Stadium
For a long time now Arsenal fans have gotten used to the idea of being on top of the table in north London. But with the reality that Spurs could finish top, they have christened such a day as St Totteringham’s Day.
Throughout his 20 years reign at Emirates, Wenger has never finished an EPL season below the Spurs.
“When you finish 20 years above them, it’s not important and now suddenly it becomes important,” he said.
He added that it matters considering that both teams intend to be stronger, with Spurs showing determination to be “stronger than everybody.”
“The more comfortable you are [as fans], the less supportive you are. That means, when you stand up, you support better than when you sit.”
Is Arsenal already losing to Tottenham?
One indication that the public may have began to support Tottenham more than Arsenal was apparent this week when Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who now works with Sky Sports, said that Alexis Sanchez remains the strongest Arsenal player.
However, Wenger wouldn’t have any of that suggestion, terming it an opinion he wouldn’t share in.
Wenger has made lots of memorable trips to White Hart Lane, including a 2 – 2 draw in 2004 that gave him his last EPL title in a decade.
“But it was good and bad that season because we got equalised in the last minute, and we nearly had a fight in the dressing room between Sol Campbell and Jens Lehmann.” The reason for the fight was that Jens allowed their rivals a penalty that was in essence a “gift”.
