From Rhys Jaggar:
Harking back to 2011:
Arsenal vs Chelsea, sometime around Christmas 2010:
An Arsenal side with young English talent and foreign talent recruited from school face the mighty men of Chelsea at the Emirates.
In a tight, absorbing contest, Song, Fabregas and Walcott clinically take three chances to lead 3-0, before Chelsea score consolation.
In February/March 2011, a young Jack Wilshere goes toe to toe with the world cup and UCL winners Xavi and Iniesta, drawing praise from all comers as Arsenal beat the subsequent champions 2-1 on merit, but fail to kick on in the final 10 to set Barca a true test like Inter did the previous season.
This morning, Henry Winter says trophies will come to Tottenham.
Did trophies come to that Arsenal side? Er, no, they blew it against Birmingham, dropped the league to Utd, then the squad broke up. Cesc, Hleb and Song to Barca; Sagna, Clichy and Nasri to Citeh; RVP to Utd; Arshavin, disillusioned, returned to Russia.
I am not saying history will repeat itself, I am saying winning trophies is a distinct skill…..and Pocchetino threw the League Cup when PSG and City appear favourites in UCL, City are 8 pts ahead in EPL etc.
How Spurs manage summer 2018 may be pivotal to how current Spurs squad see out their careers.
It is a pleasure to watch the football Spurs produce. But too often lazy journalists extrapolate one performance into trophy winning. Trophy winning needs wins when the chips are truly down.
Spurs have yet to demonstrate that….but they will have opportunities to address that if they continue to perform as they played last night.
Myles said:
Point well made, mate.
But I find the journey Pochettino has started to be a compelling one.
Especially as Poch has swiftly made Spurs good enough to beat Real Madrid 3-1.
I love the Champions League because it slowly lets me see the best teams in Europe. And then it lets me see the best teams in Europe play each other.
In the Premier League the competition today is far fiercer than it was in 1996 when Wenger arrived. The Frenchman improved Arsenal quickly and imaginatively and took on the monster that was Manchester United.
Before the oligarch came it was just a fight between Ferguson and Wenger. And Wenger won the title at Old Trafford.
Right now, Spurs have Man City and United above them and City are a very accomplished team these days with more firepower than any side in Europe, even PSG.
City conceded first in Naples, levelled it at half-time and won 4-2.
Pep has improved Stones and Sterling and they’re young enough to keep developing.
The game I’m waiting for is on Sunday at 2.15 : Manchester City v Arsenal.
I’m really looking forward to that game. Can’t wait to seeing Kevin and Raheem and speedman Sane.
The arrival of Jesus has improved Aguero, given him more focus.
After that Chelsea face Man United, who now have the giant Matic, a spinal player.
United haven’t won at Stamford Bridge for 15 years… but that can change.