With the recent arrivals of Angelo Ogbonna and Dimitri Payet, West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is probably giving himself a huge pat on the back. And he deserves it, but now that he has made great signings for his defence and the midfield, the time has come to turn his attention to strengthening the front line.
And the answer lies in a Manchester United cast-off – Javier Hernandez.
On loan at Real Madrid last season, ‘Chicharito’ bagged nine goals and nine assists in 33 appearances for the club. That may not seem so impressive when compared to the output of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema, but consider this – Hernandez still fared better than any West Ham player in terms of creativity, and fell behind forward Diafra Sakho by just one goal.
Despite starting only seven times, the Mexico international averaged a stellar 124 minutes per goal in La Liga play, an improvement on his 214 minutes per goal season in the Premier League in 2013/14. The 27-year-old hasn’t hit the peak of his career yet, and fans at Boleyn Ground could be around to witness it if Bilic’s £9m bid is accepted.With his small build, Hernandez relies on speed, agility and movement, all skills that line up perfectly with the Hammers’ strengths. Nearly a quarter of his shots came from headers, and half of those were on target. Hernandez averaged 3.4 shots per game, again more than any West Ham player. The forward’s incredible speed is what gives him a competitive edge, as he has the potential to make dangerous runs both in open play and from indirect set pieces.Bilic favors formations that employ either one or two strikers. At Real Madrid, Hernandez was squeezed up top in a 4-3-3 – alone or with just one other forward. However, he would have more space to move around and make himself a passing target for his team-mates, or to make runs down the flanks and assist, under Bilic.Speaking of assisting, ‘Chicharito’s’ passing is exceptional compared to that of a typical striker. His pass success rate of 82.2% t was the best of all the Real Madrid forwards, and the majority of his key passes were short balls, highlighting his control and awareness. Hernandez was dispossessed just 0.7 times per league game, a better possession rate than any forward at either Real Madrid or West Ham.With another midtable season behind them, and just 44 goals scored, something’s got to give at Boleyn Ground. The Irons need an eager centre forward willing to take chances. Hernandez has demonstrated his ability to do so even in two years as a substitute, and will be even more motivated in a first-team role. Bilic has done well transfer-wise so far, so his policy on ‘Chicharito’ should be this: No risk, no reward.
In recent years, Arsenal have lost out on copious opportunities to progress their starting XI via the transfer market. Arsene Wenger spent two years closely pursuing Phil Jagielka, but the Everton defender failed to reciprocate the Gunners gaffer’s interest, whilst Juan Mata was deemed too much of a risk following the expiration of a minimum release clause in his contract set at £18million, only for the Spaniard to sign for Chelsea not long after for just £5million more, and has since become one of the Premier League’s most prominent attacking midfielders.
Even this summer, the Gunners have already let the chance to sign David Villa pass by, as Spain’s all-time leading goal-scorer opts for a move to Atletico Madrid despite heavy interest from both sides of North London for most of last season, and additionally, QPR’s Julio Cesar, touted as quick fix between the sticks for Arsenal at an impressively low cost, has his heart set on signing for Napoli.
But no missed opportunity could be so detrimental to Arsenal’s cause as the failed Gonzalo Higuain deal, which appears to be slipping out of Wenger’s grasp by the day. A few weeks ago, there were reports that the Argentine was on his way to London to discuss contractual arrangements, but since, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has claimed that he is yet to receive an official bid, and even more recently, the tabloids have linked the Gunners’ strike target with a move to Napoli, like some sort of recurring Italian nightmare.
In more ways than one, it really is ‘Higuain or bust’ for Arsenal this summer, to paraphrase the soundbite that emerged from Jose Mourinho’s press conference yesterday as he continually pursues Wayne Rooney.
Unlike the Blues however, the current transfer window represents a cross-roads for the North Londoners, and so far, Wenger has been looking back towards the way he came, rather than envisaging the potential of alternative paths. The first team are in need of desperate improvement after years of constant stagnation, and with the Arsenal boss doing what he can to alleviate fans’ concerns by announcing a £70million summer kitty for new players earlier in the season – a striker, a defensive midfielder and a goalkeeper being the most required – many, including myself, expected some movement by now.
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We may still be only a few weeks into the transfer window, but the Manchester City blueprint for next season is already emerging following the acquisitions of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo (still yet to be officially confirmed), Chelsea have brought back their young cast of loanees, added to it with Andre Schurrle, and are now pursuing one of the Premier League’s most qualified forwards in Wayne Rooney, Manchester United have made bids for Leighton Baines and Cesc Fabregas, and even rivals Tottenham have spent £17million on Paulinho, a sum that betters Arsenal’s current transfer record by £1million.
The Gunners are seriously lagging behind their divisional counterparts, and the opportunity to catch up is rapidly passing them by. All of Europe’s leading strikers who are knowingly available have already jumped ship – Ramadel Falcao to Monaco, Edinson Cavani to PSG, Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich in a year’s time – and although all three always remained out Arsenal’s reach, they now have to compete with other continental clubs who missed out on the classy trio, for forwards of lesser stature.
Stevan Jovetic is in Manchester City’s crosshairs, with rumours of a £28million bid in the pipeline, Wayne Rooney is being continually courted by Jose Mourinho, whilst the likes of Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Mario Gomez, Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente, David Villa and Wilfried Bony, who could all have seriously bolstered Arsenal’s strike force next season, have already been claimed by other clubs.
If the Higuain deal falls through, which it looks set to at this moment in time, there are few alternatives out there that don’t fall into the same category of quality as Olivier Giroud. Even Christian Benteke appears more likely to sign for Spurs than Arsenal due to his inflated price-tag, whilst even the most optimistic of Gunners fans will admit that the club’s pursuit of Luis Suarez is little more than a PR stunt to imply Arsenal are still capable of competing.
More than just a club in desperate need of a talented front man ahead of next season however and with few viable options on the horizon, the symbolic implications of Arsenal’s failure to sign Higuain are vast.
Despite having considerable finance available, in terms of transfer transactions and succeeding salaries, it will illustrate how Arsenal’s quick decline now makes a move to the Emirates a much less enticing prospect than it used to be. Ten years ago, the majority of players in Europe would have dreamed of a phone call from Arsene Wenger, but now the Gunners remain an option to consider rather than an offer too good to refuse, on par with the likes of Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Spurs.
It’s not necessarily about the club’s final league standings – although you can only attract a certain calibre of player at a certain point in their career if you can guarantee them Champions League football and little else – but more the fact Arsenal are a side moving backwards, or at best sideways, rather than forwards.
The integral question however, and why it’s simply ‘Higuain or bust’ this summer, is where do Arsenal go from here, should the Argentine opt for a switch elsewhere? Higuain has undoubted quality, being his country’s first choice striker despite heavy competition for places and also claiming a record of 122 goals and 46 assists in 266 appearances since moving to La Liga in January 2007, but he is still by description and reputation Real Madrid’s second string striker.
It shouldn’t be that difficult to lure him away from the Spanish sun upon the promise of a starring role at a Champions League club, and if the Gunners can’t manage to persuade Higuain with such a tempting carrot, it doesn’t suggest that other European standard players will come calling to the Emirates any time soon.
Similarly, the proposed £23million capture was meant to be a signal to the fans that the North London club was finally turning things around, and abandoning their fatally flawed transfer policy in the process. The Emirates faithful spent all season begging Arsene Wenger to make a marquee signing, and in trying and failing to do so, it’s difficult to suggest the next ten years of transactions in the transfer market will be any different from the decade previous, with the club continually rejecting top talent with big price tags for the sake of purchasing those deemed more cost-effective. The only difference now will be that Wenger’s approach of avoiding big names will be compulsory and forced, rather than voluntary or by design.
The Higuain deal really is boom or bust for the Gunners; it’s D-Day, it’s all or nothing, it’s the last throw of the dice with the family savings, the mortgage and the car bet on a double six.
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Bringing him to the Emirates not only suggests the North London outfit are finally moving in the right direction whilst also putting them in good stead to make up ground in the Premier League title race next season, but could also pave the way for signings of a similar calibre, with the Argentine as a beacon of progress and ambition for other continental stars to be attracted to.
But failing to do so spells a rather dim situation for the Gunners. Even with a £70million transfer fund, Europe’s elite remain uninterested, suggesting a negative stigmatism of stagnation and mediocrity attached to the club, rather than success. It’s hard to tell where Arsenal can go from here, should a Real Madrid rotation player, reportedly unhappy in the Spanish capital, turn them down, and it’s unlikely other footballers of European standard will opt to venture where Higuain would not. It could be the final nail in the coffin for Arsenal, condemning them to an eternal battle for fourth spot.
Is it a case of ‘Higuain or bust’ for Arsenal this summer?
As Brendan Rodgers tucked himself into bed on Friday night, never in his worst nightmares could he have conjured up how his first Premier League match in charge of Liverpool would unfold.
It was supposed to be a routine victory at The Hawthrons, a ground Liverpool have relished playing at in the past. It was supposed to be a chance to build on the pre season optimism, to impress fans and pundits with a performance and to implement the new ‘philosophy’ Rodgers has been preaching about ever since he walked through the famous Anfield gates.
Instead, mayhem followed. Three goals, two penalties and a red card later, Liverpool and Rodgers were walking back to the dressing room knowing they had suffered their heaviest opening day defeat since 1937.
If Rodgers was under any illusions as to how difficult a task it would be to awake this sleeping giant, he certainly wasn’t anymore. His post match comments certainly suggested he was more than aware of the enormous task in front of him.
“I knew the task was a big challenge, but obviously when you lose a game like we did on Saturday then it’s difficult to take,” said the Northern Irishman.
“I’ve known along the way it’s a big challenge and that’s something we need to make right.
“We are bitterly disappointed, but we’ll use that as a lever and learn from it, and go again.
“There are going to be more days of hurt as well, in terms of where we are trying to go.”
Rodgers added: “You never like to lose a game to have anything proven to the fans. Our supporters are very educated supporters, they know where we’re at.
“For 45 minutes we played some terrific stuff, and should have been in front.
“But we didn’t, and we lost the game. All managers want time but I understand the pressures of this game.”
Rodgers was backed up in his assessment of the game by his iconic captain Steven Gerrard, who insisted it was ‘no time for panic.’
Gerrard said:
” It’s only the first game and it was one bad day at the office.
“We’ve got to look at the bigger picture. There’s been so much hope around the place and rightly so.
“After a 3-0 defeat everyone is going to be concerned. It’s important that the likes of myself and the other experienced players take responsibility for a poor defeat.
“We have to put it behind us. We’ve got to dust ourselves down and bounce back against Hearts (in the Europa League) on Thursday night.
“We have to react in the right manner and look to put things right in the coming games.”
It had all been going so well for Rodgers and Liverpool up until this point, with optimism high amongst supporters following some good pre season results and performances.
Fabio Borini, Joe Allen and Oussama Assaidi had been added to the ranks, and talks of Nuri Sahin joining on loan from Real Madrid was the hot topic of conversation amongst fans, although now it seems the Turk is destined for the Emirates.
It seems Rodgers is going to have to bring in some more faces if his side are to mount any sort of challenge to to the top four, and prove that Saturday was a minor blip.
The main problem seems to lie in front of goal. Luis Suarez could have easily bagged himself a hat-trick on Saturday, but failed to even hit the target with three clear cut opportunities inside the box. Two were free headers, which makes you wonder what the story would have been had Andy Carroll been given the opportunity from the start.
With so much changing off the pitch for Liverpool, Saturday showed not much has changed on it as failure to finish countless chances again proved costly.
There is no doubting the ability of Luis Suarez, but in all honesty his finishing leaves a lot to be desired. He scored under 10% of his chances last season and bagged 11 Premier League goals.
It seems Liverpool are still a top class finisher short of realising their ambitions. Rodgers clearly doesn’t fancy Carroll, which is a shame considering the form he showed towards the back end of last season and during the Euro’s.
A poacher in the mould of Jermaine Defoe or Darren Bent would have put the game out of sight by half time on Saturday, and when you think of all those near misses last season and how costly they proved, it is remarkable a goal scoring striker has not been seen as a priority.
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Fabio Borini has been bought in but is operating on the left of a front three. With Downing not offering much at present, you feel a front three of Suarez Borini and Carroll could be the way forward for Rodgers. However, the fact Joe Cole was bought on ahead of the big number 9 with Liverpool 2-0 down and looking for a goal, suggests Carroll does not have a future at Anfield.
It is too early to draw conclusions, but perhaps the most worrying aspect following Saturday’s defeat was the tough run of fixtures Liverpool have to follow. Rodgers next four opportunities to get it right come against Manchester City, Arsenal, Sunderland and Manchester United.
It is not all doom and gloom for Liverpool. A positive result against Manchester City and everything changes. It is important the fans get behind Rodgers and the team, and do their best to make Anfield a fortress once again this season.
Rodgers has the spine of a fantastic team. A top goalkeeper in Reina, two fine centre backs in Skrtel and Agger, and the England full back in Johnson set the basis of a top defence.
The return to fitness of Lucas Leiva will prove crucial, whilst Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez need no introduction.
If Rodgers is smart in the remaining days of the transfer window, and a finisher is bought in, it could yet be a season to remember for Liverpool.
As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United have opened talks to sign Kyle Bartley from Swansea City in this summer’s transfer window.
What’s the story?
With their season petering out from play-off hopes to mid-table grumbles, Leeds fans are hoping they can rebuild this summer and have a go at pushing the teams at the top end of the table next term.
One potential signing that would be sure to please them is Kyle Bartley, who had a successful spell on loan at the club last term.
The Yorkshire Evening Post say that Leeds are now looking to sign him on a permanent basis, with Swansea ready to entertain offers for the defender and Leeds already in talks to secure his signature.
The 26-year-old is rated at £3.15m by Transfermarkt and is said by the Evening Post to be open to a return to Elland Road.
Would he be a good signing?
Leeds United have conceded 64 goals in the English Championship this season, more than all 13 of the teams above them in the table currently. It’s fair to say then that the Elland Road side need defensive improvement.
Bartley was a stand-out at centre-back in 2016/17, making 45 appearances in the second-tier for Leeds, helping keep 15 clean sheets and even scoring six goals in the process.
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He’d be an excellent option next season and could help them in their bid to reach the play-offs massively so this is a deal definitely worth pursuing further.
After the reports that Raheem Sterling is ready to leave Liverpool, the 20-year-old was booed as he stepped up to claim the Reds’ Young Player of the Year award last on Tuesday evening.
That’s some fall for a player many Kopites loved just a few months ago and the first-teamer who, arguably, outperformed Luis Suarez during last season’s title run-in. Is there any way back then? Maybe not…
And now Chelsea have joined the long list of suitors for the England international, with claims they’re ready to sacrifice January addition Juan Cuadrado and midfield star Oscar to raise funds. Wow.
However, why not cut out the middle man and offer Oscar is exchange for Sterling? After all, Liverpool have been linked with the Brazilian passer in the not too distant past. It makes sense all round, and here are FIVE reasons why…
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Sterling can challenge for trophies…
Sterling has claimed that fighting for trophies and playing at the very highest level is what matters most to him right now. So if we take his claims on face value, a switch to Chelsea makes sense, with the Blues having scooped two bits of silverware – the Premier League and League Cup – this term while also advancing pretty deep into the Champions League – well, deeper than Liverpool.
On that note, the Reds are yet to win a trophy under Brendan Rodgers and look to be in for a tricky battle to balance Europa League responsibilities and challenging for a top four finish next term.
Oscar will get guaranteed playing time
Perhaps a little warning for Sterling is Oscar’s plight. Although the Brazilian has featured 28 times in the Premier League season, he’s often been used as a substitute of hauled off by Jose Mourinho, limiting his playing time. As much as Kopites will hate to admit it, Liverpool are a step down from Chelsea, but the 23-year-old could benefit from moving to become a focal point, rather than an ‘also ran’.
Sterling will get the money he wants
Let’s be cynical about Sterling then… he wants more money. In any line of work a pay rise of 400% – Chelsea will surely be able to present him with wages of around £140,000 – £150,000-per-week – on his £35,000-per-week earnings is the sort of proposal that cannot be ignored. Although fans look at football from a passionate point of view, the 20-year-old’s career will not last forever, so gathering money while he can makes sense. Also, as one of the best youngsters around, shouldn’t he be paid in line with the likes of Luke Shaw?
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Rodgers has a habit of reviving big club strugglers
The finest example is Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool offered the forward a move away from Chelsea in 2013, and the deal has worked amazingly well for them. Frequently shoved out of position and used sparingly at Stamford Bridge, Sturridge is now the main man at Anfield when fit, which is almost certainly down to Rodgers. The Northern Irishman has performed a similar feat with Philippe Coutinho, who was struggling at Inter Milan.
Can Liverpool really hold down an unsettled player?
Dressing rooms are fragile things. One ‘bad egg’ could unsettle the feeling of harmony in a squad, and although there’s nothing to suggest that Sterling is a rotten apple, if he’s being kept against his will can Liverpool really expect him to nail his colours to the mast? Reports have already suggested that Rodgers wants the situation resolved quickly, which makes sense, whatever the outcome.
News coming out of Coventry City is once again of a controversial nature.
It has emerged this week that owners Sisu have taken Coventry City Council to court over their bailout of ACL. Events on the field are not much better as Coventry look to be ending the season with a bit of a whimper.
To start with we all know that Sisu and the Council are far from best friends and if we are being truthful have very little respect for one another. It is in fact quite an extraordinary relationship breakdown with the Council being the one’s who brought Sisu to the city and the club in the first place. Who would have thought it would ever reach this stage where both parties are at logger heads with each other.
ACL have in fact been caught in the middle of all this. Yes they have done wrong and they can’t deny this fact but over the past few months they have almost been a tool for the two sides to fight each other with.
First we saw Sisu withhold substantial amounts of rent from ACL which resulted in ACL going into financial difficulty. This was clearly not just a protest to the high rent but also a tactic to force the sale of the Ricoh in a cut price deal.
The council could see this and allowing the Ricoh to go into Sisu’s hands is not going to benefit the council in anyway. It is a constant stream of revenue for the council and one they are not willing to give up without a fight.
The most worrying thing about this whole situation is that the club itself seems to be at the back of every ones minds. It remains unclear as to who owns the football league golden share, player contracts and any sort of Ricoh deal now seems further away than it has ever been.
Another issue at the moment which is understandable with all the issues surrounding the Ricoh is that of season tickets. No information has come out of the club regarding season tickets for next year and it is once again us fans who are going to continue to suffer.
The longer all these issues go on the more concerned I get about next season. Personally I can’t see us mounting any sort of promotion challenge with all the continued disruption off the pitch. The summer is a vital part in the football world for every club with the majority of transfers taking place, this is the time when I see city falling behind other clubs.
Pressley has announced that Sunday will be the day when decisions are made on the future of current squad players. This is something that I am a little worried about. Yes we have a reasonably big squad and a couple could be allowed to leave but Pressley has hinted quite a may go.
With the club in the state it is and no sign of our transfer embargo being lifted our squad could be left threadbare at best. We have no idea what has been said to Pressley and I worry that he has been made empty promises for investment in the squad. We have had it before with Sisu and another troubled season could be on the cards. Successful one definitely seems like a long shot right now.
Whilst City’s off the field problems continue City have somewhat allowed the season to fizzle out. Since the 10 point deduction the manager and players alike were quick to make the point we are still as hungry to win as before. I think we were all naive if we thought that there wouldn’t be a slump come the end of the season.
The win against Doncaster just after the point’s deduction was a brilliant response from the players and gave us fans something to be happy about but since then city have failed to inspire. Three losses with one heavy loss and a draw in the last 4 games has been disappointing. Pressley has been chopping and changing the squad though in an attempt to assess his whole squad and this has clearly had some impact on the results.
A loss in our last home game though was the most disappointing. It has been a season of turmoil at the club and the players have given their all in an attempt to give us something to cheer about and it would have been nice to end on a high and give the players a good send off. We all know many of them won’t be here next season and it is just a shame really.
In the grand scheme of things it doesn’t actually matter but with one game to go before the season is officially over a final victory for our die hard away fans would be nice. Football has kind of been the distraction for us to get away from the off field problems but with the season coming to a close I fear weeks of depressing news will continue to come out of the club with no distraction for us fans.
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It has been a long slog of a season for everyone involved and I for one am glad that it is coming to an end. Let hope we can end on a high with a victory on against Notts County.
Everton and Tottenham have received opposing fortunes in recent games but both firmly have their eyes fixed upon the Champions League positions.
The Toffees are winless in three as they look to re-build their early season momentum, especially at Goodison Park. They are proving difficult to beat as they have been involved in eight draws already, but they need to start picking up three points to rejuvenate the side and mount a fourth-placed challenge.
Spurs are not having any such troubles and are flying at the moment. Andre Villas- Boas’ side have secured maximum points in their last three outings including impressive wins over West Ham and Fulham. The North London side even managed to ensure qualification to the next stage of the Europa League with a 3-1 victory over Panathinaikos on Thursday night.
Now that Tottenham have re-established themselves to be level on points with third-placed Chelsea, they will want to ensure that they maintain a level of consistency.
AVB is expected to be without Michael Dawson who has a slim chance of recovering for Sunday. Gareth Bale is also not expected to make the trip to Merseyside while Lloris should replace Friedel in goal, following the American’s start on Thursday.
David Moyes will have the luxury of being able to select the same starting XI as he has done for the third game running if he so chooses. There are no new injury or suspension concerns, so Everton remain fresh going into this fixture.
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Despite Everton being draw specialists, Tottenham have gone 12 games without a draw in the Premier League.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faces a team selection dilemma this weekend as he has one eye on next Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma.
The Merseyside outfit have one foot in the final following a 5-2 victory over the Italian giants at Anfield.
For around 70 minutes, the Reds were at their scintillating best as Mohamed Salah brought his goal tally up to 43 in all competitions, while Roberto Firmino scored twice and Sadio Mane also got on the scoresheet.
Liverpool were initially 5-0 up, but there was a twist in the tale when Roma struck two late away goals to give them a glimmer of hope.
Despite the Champions League being the Reds’ main focus, they still have work to do to qualify for next season’s competition as they currently sit third in the Premier League table, eight points above fifth-placed Chelsea with three games left to play.
On Saturday in the lunchtime kickoff, Liverpool will take on Stoke City at Anfield, and Klopp has a conundrum to solve in midfield.
During Tuesday’s match against Roma, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the campaign, as well as the World Cup in Russia.
This means that Liverpool have just three experienced midfielders available in Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum.
With Klopp likely to want fresh legs for the trip to Italy in midweek, he may opt against starting all three against the Potters.
Instead, perhaps 18-year-old Ben Woodburn should be given a chance to feature this weekend.
The seven-capped Wales international predominantly plays in a forward role, but for the Under-23s this season, he has featured numerous times in midfield.
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Woodburn has had very limited game time under Klopp in the 2017-18 campaign having failed to rack up a single minute in the Premier League, and instead featuring just once as a substitute in the Carabao Cup.
With the enormity of the Champions League semi-final second leg around the corner, should Liverpool put faith in Woodburn for this weekend’s match against Stoke?
With just four games remaining of the Premier League season, north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are starting to look ahead to the future.
Mauricio Pochettino looks set to miss out on a top four finish during his first season in charge, but the improved style of play and the emergence of Harry Kane have given Spurs fans reasons to be hopeful for the season.
Arsenal meanwhile are hoping for a second placed finish, having been the form team in the country over the second half of the season, whilst back-to-back FA Cups can be secured with a win over Aston Villa on May 30.
Arsene Wenger will be cursing his teams slow start to the season, but will hope lessons will be learnt in time for next season.
With both sides keen to push forward, we have decided to take a look back on some of their finest ever players, with this combined Arsenal and Tottenham XI.
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Click on Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino to reveal the best all time Arsenal and Tottenham combined XI
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David Seaman
It speaks volumes for the quality of David Seaman that Arsenal have struggled to replace him since he left the club way back in 2003 (bar a couple of decent seasons from Jens Lehmann).
‘Safe hands’ as he was known is firmly regarded as an Arsenal legend, being the undisputed number one for club and country during Wenger’s most succesful period at the club.
Seaman won twelve major honours in a career that spanned thirteen years with the Gunners.
The only grievance Arsenal fans can hold against him is that ridiculous ponytail he wore during his final two seasons at the club.
Lauren
Football – Stock 04/05 , 26/12/04Lauren – Arsenal Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew Couldridge
Signed as a midfielder originally in the summer of 2000, Cameroon star Lauren would go on to become a key player for the Gunners in the successful years that followed. He pips Lee Dixon to the starting right back slot due to his consistency over the season in which the Gunners became the ‘Invincibles.’
He made his home debut in crunch clash with Liverpool at Highbury, where it took less than 10 minutes for him to open his account as the Gunners went on to a 2-0 victory.
A crucial match winning penalty against Tottenham will also be remembered as one of his Arsenal highlights.
Sol Campbell
Football – Arsenal v FC Barcelona – UEFA Champions League Final – Stade de France, St Denis – 05/06 – 17/5/06Arsenal’s Sol Campbell celebrates after scoring the first goal with team mates Emmanuel Eboue and Ashley ColeMandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex Morton
As he has never been allowed to forget, Sol Campbell represented both sides of north London during his career.
Commanding, physical and a leader, it could be argued the Gunners have not had a centre back to replace him sufficiently since he left the club.
A key member of two title winning sides under Arsene Wenger – including the invincible side of 2003-04 – Campbell was also just minutes away from writing his name into Arsenal history with what would have been a winning goal in a Champions League final, until goals from Samuel Eto’o and Julian Beletti swung the 2006 final back into Barcelona’s favour.
Ledley King
Football – FA Barclaycard Premiership – Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – White Hart Lane – 3/4/04Chelsea’s William Gallas and Tottenham’s Ledley King in actionMandatory Credit : Action Images / Andrew BuddLivepic
The devestating thing for Tottenham supporters and King himself is the struggles the former Tottenham skipper had with injury.
In the end it lead to an early retirement, but when fully fit – there were few better Premier League defenders than King.
It was sad to see his career finish prematurely, as it will always be a case of wondering what might have been for Spurs had he been fit on a regular basis, whilst supporters of England were left wondering exactly the same thing, with King having impressed every time he pulled on the white shirt at international level.
Jan Vertonghen
Football – Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland – Barclays Premier League – White Hart Lane – 17/1/15Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen celebrate after the gameMandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew CouldridgeLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your acc
Given the way Arsenal fans still feel about Ashley Cole, it is Belgian Jan Vertonghen who steps in to cover the left back position!
The Belgian has established himself as the best defender at White Hart Lane since his arrival from Ajax in 2012, and although he is most comfortable in the middle, he has shown he is more than capable of playing the left back role – whilst also popping up with a few important goals.
Vertonghen has often been linked with a move to a club offering Champions League football, however he remains vital to Tottenham’s hopes of breaking into the top four.
Robert Pires
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The Frenchman was one of the top wingers in the game for a few years before injuries took their toll.
His pace and trickery down the flanks were crucial to Arsenal’s style of play in the early 2000’s, whilst he had a habit of scoring plenty of important goals – some of which were spectacular.
Wenger once again proved he had an eye for a bargain in the transfer market, paying just £6million to bring the World Cup winner to the Red half of north London in 2000.
Luka Modric
The Croatian signed for Tottenham in 2008, and signalled the beginning of another era in terms of Spurs challenging the top sides under Harry Redknapp.
Modric was an integral part of the new Tottenham, dictating the play in the middle of the park, classy on the ball and able to find a killer pass seemingly at will.
He also had the ability to score stunning goals – perhaps not as often as he should have done – but never the less he remained a class act in his four years at the club.
He left the club for Real Madrid in a deal worth £30million in the summer of 2012.
Patrick Vieira
Captain of the invincibles in 2003/04, Vieira typified everything the modern day midfielder should be.
A natural leader in the middle of the park, Arsenal have not had a player quite like him since he left for Juventus in the summer of 2005.
Vieira won two league and cup doubles during his time with the Gunners, whilst popping up with a vital goal against Tottenham as Arsenal claimed another league title in 2004.
His final kick for the club was the winning penalty against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final – not half bad for a £3.5million signing.
Gareth Bale
Even though Tottenham recouped a world record £86 million for Gareth Bale, there is surely not a Tottenham fan who wouldn’t take him back for the same price if it were offered tomorrow.
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Bale was sensational for Spurs, and is arguably one of the club’s all-time greats, with his performances in the Champions League under Harry Redknapp arguably the moments in which a star was born – his hat trick against Inter Milan in the San Siro a particularly special moment.
Bale carried Tottenham during his final two years at White Hart Lane, but failure to secure Champions League football saw him join Real Madrid in a world record deal.
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry scores his 1st goal (Arsenal’s 2nd) under pressure from Jonathan Fortune (Charlton). Arsenal 4:0 Charlton Athletic. FA Barclays Premiership. Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, London, 2/10/04. Credit : Arsenal Football Club / Stuart MacFarlane.
Surely the greatest striker in Arsenal’s history and perhaps even the Premier League era.
Henry scored all kinds of wonderful goals, helped Arsenal to league titles, FA Cup’s and a Champions League Final and left as their record goal scorer.
Originally signed as a winger by Arsene Wenger, Henry went on to become arguably the finest striker in the world for a five year period.
His major regret will be failure to lift the Champions League as Arsenal captain, having reached the final of the competition in 2006.
Jermaine Defoe
Perhaps not the biggest name, but one of the Premier League’s most consistent goal scorers of all time.
Tottenham fans have fallen in love with Harry Kane this season, having watched the local lad fire more than 30 goals in all competitions.
Yet Kane has one good season under his belt, whilst Jermain Defoe scored goals consistently in the Premier League season upon season wherever he was, but particularly at Tottenham.
He pips fellow Spurs forwards the likes of Kane, Jurgen Klinsmann Robbie Keane and Teddy Sheringham to the forward’s position alongside Thierry Henry, having scored over 100 league goals in two spells at White Hart Lane.
Arsenal flop Andre Santos has revealed that he would like to make his loan move to Gremio a permanent transfer this summer.
The Brazilian full-back left the Gunners earlier this year, after a series of below par Premier League appearances pushed way down the pecking order under manager Arsene Wenger.
Injuries to the likes of Kieran Gibbs hinted that he could be set for an increased role during the latter half of the season, but the Gunners elected to swoop for Nacho Monreal, allowing Santos to return to his homeland.
Initially, the 30-year-old said that he would like to return to London to prove himself at Arsenal, but now he has had a change of heart, insisting that he would be more than happy to be a Gremio player on a permanent basis:
“I’ll do my best to win titles. I have won titles at every club I have played for.” He is quoted by Sky Sports via Zero Hora.
“The staff, board and the players have all made me feel very welcome. There is no doubt that I want to stay.”
Santos signed for Arsenal on a long-term contract on the deadline day of 2011’s summer transfer window, as Wenger set about addressing immediate concerns regarding his squad.
After forcing his way into the Brazilian national team, much was expected of the defender, but he failed to adapt to Premier League football.
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He had been linked with a switch to Turkey with Galatasaray, but a proposed move collapsed in January.