Tag Archives: tottenham hotspur

Pre season – it only counts when you want it to

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So on Saturday, Arsenal beat Benfica 5-2. To some, it was a good victory and showed us moving forward. To others, it was “just a friendly”.

Roll on 24 hours and Arsenal lost 2-1 to Sevilla and everyone had done a 180.

Those that called it “just a friendly” were suddenly saying stuff like “shows nothing has changed” whilst those celebrating the victory were tweeting “just a friendly”.

Meanwhile, the majority did not care about either result. They saw both games as “just a friendly” and he Emirates Cup as a chance to take their kids.

But then we have the media. Already rolling out the usual “Arsenal in crisis before the season has begun” narrative.

It made me wonder: just how well have every other side done pre-season?

This was correct as per the final whistle yesterday. Some results may have changed. Others stayed the same.

It highlights everyone is having a very average pre season.

Arsenal destroyed sides in Australia, Man U in America. Chelsea beat Arsenal, then lost to Bayern Munich and AC Milan (they also beat Fulham).

Spurs beat Leyton Orient and PSG, before losing to Man City and Roma.

So can you read too much into pre-season? Probably only if you want too.

Keenos

Spurs bribe fans to sell out Wembley tickets

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So Spurs have just sold out their 40,000 season tickets at the 90,000 seater Wembley. 1 month after The Arsenal closed off their 44,000 season ticket renewal deadline, Spurs seem happy to have finally managed to sell out tickets for the England national stadium.

But at what cost to their relationship with fans?

Firstly it seems when planning to move to Wembley, Spurs promised current season ticket holders that they could take a “break” and not renew when they moved to Wembley on the promise they would get a season ticket at the new White Hart Lane.

Spurs have apparently gone back on this offer and forced old season ticket holders to renew, otherwise the will miss out on the new stadium and go to the back of the waiting list.

To attract additional buyers, Spurs have also promised any new fan who buys a season ticket at Wembley a season ticket at their new stadium, no matter where they sat on the season ticket waiting list.

The deal was simple. Buy a season ticket at Wembley for the next two seasons (more on two seasons later), guarantee yourself a season ticket for the new White Hart Lane.

Spurs fans are reportedly not too happy with the bribery and fake promises by the club which have forced them to buy a Wembley season ticket.

Hidden amongst the marketing for the season tickets was the fact that Spurs expect to be at Wembley for two years as the construction of the new White Hart Lane is at least a year behind schedule.

Keenos

First major signing shows Arsenal still outgun Spurs

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Arsenal are set to complete their first major signing of the summer in the shape of Monaco magician Thomas Lemar.

The French youngster was top of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur’s wish list. The fact the talented midfielder has picked Arsenal over Spurs is a massive coup.

Having finished in the Champions League places for the second season in a row, and above Arsenal for the first time since 1995 – before Lemar was born – there had been talk of a shift of power in North London. But the decision by Lemar to pick Arsenal over Spurs shows there is no power shift.

Whilst Spurs might have qualified in the Champions League ahead of Arsenal, they are still seen as a small club on the continent. Dani Alves once said he was “surprised” when he found out Manchester had two clubs. Many of those in Europe couldn’t point to Tottenham on the map.

Meanwhile, whilst Arsenal have had 20 years of Champions League failure, they are amongst one of the biggest names on the continent.

You then come to managers. Mauricio Pochettino is massively hyped up in England. But like the club he manages, he is an unknown in Europe.

An average playing career, he has won nothing as a manager and would not be top of any major sides wish list.

Arsene Wenger meanwhile has been heavily criticised in England, but his stock remains high on mainland Europe. Still considered a top coach, the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil came to Arsenal to play for him. Being French, and from Monaco, Lemar would have been massively influenced by Arsene Wenger, and the much maligned manager is a big reason Lemar has chosen Arsenal.

A big factor is also wages. Arsenal can offer top dollar, whilst Spurs are still paying mid table wages as their funds have to go towards things such as buying cranes. Arsenal have literally blown Spurs’ salary offer out of the water.

The final key factor is success. Spurs have no recent success. They might be able to offer Champions League football but they can not offer Lemar trophies.

Arsenal have won 3 FA Cups in 4 years. It might not be the league, but it is the greatest cup competition in the world.

There are reportedly a few more i’s to dot and t’s to cross, but once the deal is done, it will send a reminder to that lot up the road.

North London is still red.

Keenos