Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger backs Spurs to challenge for title due to three factors
Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger backs Spurs to challenge for title due to three factors
Tottenham extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table by beating Crystal Palace on Friday night and Arsene Wenger considers them genuine title hopefuls
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15:56, 28 Oct 2023
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Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has put rivalries to one side to admit he considers Tottenham to be among four clubs in contention for the Premier League title thanks to two summer signings and the redeployment of Son Heung-min.
Spurs lost last season’s top scorer Harry Kane in August but sit top of the pile after going unbeaten across their first 10 matches of the season. The most recent of those fixtures saw them break down Crystal Palace to win 2-1 at Selhurst Park, with new captain Son Heung-min scoring his eighth league goal of the season.
Son’s move into the middle is one of a number of factors pinpointed by Wenger when explaining what has impressed him about Ange Postecoglou’s team. And, while the Frenchman believes his old club Arsenal are in the title race, he believes their neighbours are in the conversation as well.
“I like always to say what I feel, really,” Wenger said on beIN Sports. “Deeply, I believe Tottenham will be one of the contenders for the league.
“They bought Maddison, who is a great player. He is that llink from low midfield to high midfield and added some technical creativity to the team
“They bought Van de Ven, who I find absolutely exceptional. They had weaknesses there and last season [Hugo] Lloris had not the best of seasons as well. And the movement from Son into the middle looks very good.”
Spurs defender Micky van de Ven was singled out for praise (
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Simon Dael/REX/Shutterstock)
Wenger was then asked by hosts Richard Keys and Andy Gray whether he was serious about his stance on Spurs as title contenders rather than just top four contenders. And, rather than hedging his bets, the 74-year-old doubled down.
“For the Premier League, I would say Arsenal for me, Liverpool, Tottenham, [Manchester] City of course will always come back,” he said. “They look like the four… at the moment for the Premier League.”
Spurs didn’t have everything their own way against Palace last time out. After a goalless first half, Joel Ward’s own goal put Postecoglou’s side in front and Son added a second before home forward Jordan Ayew pulled one back late on.
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Tottenham home shirt 2023/2024
The game also saw midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur make his first appearance of the season after nearly nine months out injured, much to the delight of Son. “We couldn’t wait to have him back and when he came on, I was getting emotional because he’s a good friend of mine,” the captain told club media.
“I enjoy every single moment with him, even last season when I was suffering with injury, he was always pushing me. I’m just really grateful he came back healthy, hopefully he’ll now stay fit, and he will be a massive boost for the team. I’m very happy to have him back.”
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