Arsenal fans have already inspired Igor Tudor’s first Tottenham team talk ahead of North London derby
Igor Tudor could not have been handed a more difficult first game in charge than facing Tottenham’s biggest rivals in the North London derby.
While Spurs are battling against relegation this season, Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League table, pushing to beat both Man City and Aston Villa to the trophy.
The decision to part ways with Thomas Frank should have been made long before the defeat to Newcastle United, but days before facing the Gunners, a new boss has been appointed.
Tudor has been lauded as an escape artist when it comes to relegation battles in Italy, and those at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be praying for some of his magic to rub off in North London.
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Arsenal currently stand in the way of Premier League safety
The Lilywhites are just five points above the dropzone with 12 games of the season remaining, still with Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Chelsea left to play before the end of May.
Relegation down to the second tier for the first time since the 1977-78 season is a massive concern this term, and things are only going to get harder when their biggest rivals come to visit at the weekend.
Spurs did have a rest before the game, while the Gunners faced Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round, possibly giving them a slight advantage, but it was clear what fans were really focused on.
As Arteta’s side took a 4-0 lead in the first half, Arsenal fans began singing “Are you Tottenham in disguise?”. That should be more than enough for Tudor to inspire his side to victory.
Igor Tudor must inspire Tottenham to an unlikely North London derby win
Just like Arteta used Ivan Toney’s “kick about with the boys” tweet against Brentford, Tudor can do the same here, and it will take a special performance to topple the current league leaders.
The Gunners have lost just one of their last 19 games across all competitions, but should they slip up, Pep Guardiola’s Man City could move within just one point of top spot.
Stopping their rivals from lifting the Premier League trophy should be another incentive to put on a show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it is clear already what the new manager should say to his players.
The Lilywhites have to make a statement, not even to stop Arsenal, but to edge closer to Premier League safety before the club’s embarrassments become too much.
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