Earlier this week we discussed how Arsenal players “did themselves proud” in the lead up to the World Cup.

Players continued to give 100% right up to the break, with none crying off with injury. The result is Arsenal are top of the league.

The same can not be said about Spurs, however.

Three of their key players have shown country is more important than club.

Firstly we have last nights double scorer against Brazil, Richarlison.

The forward went down with a “calf” injury agains Everton in the middle of October. He then missed 7 games in a row before returning for less than an hour against Nottingham Forest inthe League Cup. He also played in their final league game against Leeds United.

During those games, he was clearly not giving 100%, and it was almost as if he was giving himself a small “pre-season” prior to the World Cup.

Tottenham won just 1 of the 4 league games he missed “injured”.

Cristian Romero is another Spurs player who gave himself a nice rest before the World Cup.

The Argentine centre back missed the last 5 games prior to the break with a “hamstring injury” that no-one really knows when he picked up.

Considered a bit of a hardman, he seemed to go soft for Spurs as he decided to focus on being 100% for country rather than performing for club.

His absence saw Spurs knocked out of the League Cup – their best chance to to win a trophy this season – and concede 9 goals in 5 games.

Romero was fit to start for Argentina.

Finally we have Heung-Min Son.

He who can do no wrong, despite a career blighted with diving and leg breaking tackles, Son seems to escape any sort of criticism for his behaviour.

Granted, the South Korean suffered a fracture around his left eye during the Champions League clash against Marseille.

That ruled him out of Tottenham’s last 3 games of the season – 2 of which they lost.

He returned yesterday for South Korea wearing a mask – so questions need to be asked as to why he could not don the mask for Spurs?

Maybe he decided to hide behind the injury to give himself a nice rest ahead of the World Cup?

Whilst Arsenal players continued to give it 100%, Spurs players hide behind injuries to ensure they were ready for their countries. And that probably shows the difference between Arsenal and Tottenham right now.

Arsenal are together as one, fighting as a team. Performing well and in the title race.

Meanwhile Tottenham are clearly a group of individuals. Players their have other priorities, such as the World Cup.

The likes of Romero and Richarlison clearly see the club as a stepping stone to something else – a move to one of Europe’s elite.

It is the same for the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur. The pair, signed from Juventus, trying to rebuild their careers and reputation at a lower level before a move back to a top team.

I am proud of every Arsenal player at the World Cup. Many were not guaranteed their seat on the plane.

The likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and William Saliba forced their way into their international squads due to their performances for Arsenal this season.

We clearly have a group of young, hungry professionals that want to do their best for club AND country.

I am not sure the same can be said about the Spurs lot.

Keenos