Troy Deeney has now explained why Tottenham Hotspur should ‘want’ to help Arsenal win the Premier League title when Spurs take on Manchester City next Tuesday night.
Arsenal are relying on favours from their local rivals to claim their first title in 20 years. Mikel Arteta takes the Gunners to Manchester United on Sunday and will host Everton on the final day of the season. But Arsenal cannot lift the title if Manchester City do not drop any points.
The Citizens have moved two points clear at the top of the table after beating Fulham 4-0 on Saturday. Manchester City now only have their visit to Tottenham and the visit of West Ham United to Etihad Stadium on the final day to go in their bid for a historic fourth title in a row.
Tottenham should ‘want’ to help Arsenal win the Premier League title
No side has ever won four Premier League titles in successive seasons with Manchester City (2020-23) and Manchester United (1998-2001, 06-09) the only teams to lift three on the spin. Arsenal have even not won the top-flight since Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles in 2003/04.
Manchester City have also won five of the past six Premier League titles, with only Liverpool in 2019/20 interrupting their dominance. So, Deeney believes Tottenham ought to ‘want’ to do Arsenal a favour and beat Manchester City to afford the Gunners control of the title race.
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Deeney also believes Tottenham should want to see Arsenal win the title as it can give Ange Postecoglou’s side ‘hope’. Spurs are enduring a torrid end to the Australian’s first season in N17. But Arsenal ending their wait for a fourth Premier League title can inspire Tottenham.
He told The Sun: “Tottenham should want to help Arsenal win the title by getting a result against City. It will give themselves and everyone else hope that they can win it one day.
“Arsenal are on the cusp of ending a 20-year stint without a league title. Who is to say someone else cannot do that next season with the right manager and right recruitment?
“But, currently, Spurs know they’ve mucked up a top-four spot. They won’t catch Aston Villa and they’ve hit a wall. They’re having a horrific end to the season.”
Arsenal can win the title if Manchester City drop points just once
Arsenal need either Tottenham or West Ham to at minimum hold Manchester City to a draw to regain control of the title race. The Gunners could yet pip the Citizens to the crown if they finish level on points as Arteta’s challengers boast the superior goal difference, but only just.
Manchester City thrashing Fulham on Saturday closed their goal difference deficit to Arsenal to just two goals. The Citizens now have the superior offence with 91 goals scored to 88. But the Gunners still boast the better defence with 28 goals conceded to 33 in 36 games each.
Yet Arteta still finds Arsenal needing favours when Tottenham or West Ham face Manchester City. Spurs are also on what Deeney deems a ‘horrific’ run after four defeats in their last five games. Irons coach David Moyes has beaten Pep Guardiola once in their 15 career meetings.