Spurs vs Arsenal | Ange's preview: "We understand the importance of this game"
Fri 26 April 2024, 18:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou says he completely understands our fans wanting us to dent Arsenal's title challenge in Sunday's derby - but he's also looking at the bigger picture.
Arsenal will arrive in N17 top of the table, having won 12 of their last 14 games in the Premier League, and they are fighting it out with Manchester City and Liverpool for the big prize.
We remain fifth but with fourth-placed Villa still in our sights - we're six points adrift with two games in hand.
I understand the context around the north London derby and what it means to our supporters, for sure...
Ange was asked in his pre-match press conference if he understood some fans wanting to deny Arsenal winning the league, first and foremost. "Yeah, it’s fair enough," he replied. "And again, I’m not going to dictate to fans what they feel and how they should feel.
"We understand the importance of the game and we understand the importance, particularly at home, in these kind of games against our biggest rival and in the biggest derby, for us not letting our opponent get on top of us.
"So, we understand the consequences of that but, ultimately, it’s still about us measuring ourselves against the teams we want to be challenging on a more consistent basis. It’s a great opportunity to do that on Sunday."
The derby kicks-off a huge week, with another capital clash to follow against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening (7.30pm UK) and a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday week (5 May, 4.30pm UK).
"Every time you're out there is a chance to measure yourself," added Ange. "I have a fair idea of where we’re at, and what progress we’ve made, and what progress we need to make.
"It’s another great challenge for us... three big games and then we finish the season with three games (Burnley, City, Sheffield United). They are all games of consequence, for us and for the opposition.
"The players are looking forward to that as well. This time of the year, you want to be playing for something, and certainly the games we’re involved in will have something in them, so we're looking forward to it."
