By Myles Palmer
Arsene said yesterday that Sheringham is the player who is the biggest threat.
Fair comment given Teddy’s record against Arsenal.
He is a cute, foxy half-striker who might only have two kicks and a header in 94 minutes but still score two goals.
But not this time, methinks, because of the collective whirlwind created by Arsenal’s athleticism.
The game, or most of it, could pass him by.
However, Gus Poyet also scores goals.He missed four chances before scoring in the 1-1 draw at the Lane, where Richard Wright’s last minute boob cost two points.
Poyet, so adept at headers and volleys, is a threat to most teams Spurs play.
But I haven’t changed my views on this game over the last three days.
If Sheringham scores, Arsenal can win 3-1. If Poyet scores as well, Arsenal can win 4-2.
At Highbury on a sunny,cool,slightly windy Spring afternoon like today, having had five days clear preparation, Arsenal will click into gear quickly and go into overdrive.
If the players were tired after a midweek game it would be different, perhaps worrying.
Kanu says they can score three in ten minutes again and kill the game off.
And, funnily enough, I don’t expect too much nastiness or controversy. Hope I’m right about that.
Arsenal can win their next four league games – and 81 points could be enough because Man United and Liverpool can drop points.
I see Freddie or Thierry scoring the first goal against Spurs. Probably Freddie.
No surprise if Sol scored against his old club.
Sol has never been close to winning a title, let alone close to winning the Double, so he is focused and enjoying his football right now.
It’s exciting for him, a big challenge, and he knows that Sven is watching almost every game he plays.
I read Tony Adams’s interview in today’s Guardian.
The subtext seems to be : I will find giving up football easier than giving up booze.
Personally, I hope Tony can play for another season, but I’m pretty sure he will retire and start one of the sports science courses he mentions.
6th April 2002.