Serge: 'There’s a different flavour about the derby'

Serge Aurier is determined to put a smile on the faces of supporters this weekend.

On Sunday, we welcome Arsenal to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first north London derby between the clubs’ men’s sides at our new home (4.30pm kick-off) and Serge is eager to make sure that it is a day to remember.

While fans, once again, won’t be permitted within the ground as we continue to follow social distancing measures, our Ivorian defender is adamant that the empty stands won’t affect the mentality of the players going into such a competitive clash.

Highlighting the resolute performance of the players in June’s 2-0 behind-closed-doors victory over capital rivals West Ham United, our number 24 has said he and his team-mates will be giving everything for those cheering us on at home.

“Against West Ham, we were without the fans, but we knew everyone had been waiting for it and would be watching from home,” the full-back explained. “Like the gaffer said to us, when we are playing, we need to understand that everyone is watching the game from home.

“The best way we can give our supporters good energy is by winning these games, especially the derby. Of course, we need to win every game, but the derby has that bit more importance because when the fans are in the stadium, there is that intensity for the game.

“You don’t just play a derby – it is not a normal game. There’s a different flavour about it.

“This game is different. You need to put more pressure on yourself and more pressure and aggressiveness in the game itself because there is a different feeling about it. You play to win. Maybe you don’t play the best, maybe you don’t have a lot of the ball but you don’t care because when you win this game, it doesn’t matter how you play. We just want to win. We need to give everything for the fans.”