Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has now said he’s spotted something ‘worrying’ from Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Only 180 minutes of football remain in the 2023/24 campaign for Ange Postecoglou‘s side now after their game on Saturday.
Three big points were picked up against Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium which has seen Spurs increase their cushion on Newcastle United.
However, there is time for one more visit to their north London home for Spurs before the curtain is drawn on the term.
And it is a game with an awful lot riding on it for two sides, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Anything less than a win for Pep Guardiola’s side and it will give Arsenal the advantage going into the final day.
But the former Arsenal midfielder, Merson, has admitted he is worrying after what he has seen from Spurs ahead of the game on Tuesday night.
What Paul Merson spotted that has left him frustrated by Tottenham
Spurs did pick up three points on Saturday but they were made to work for it by a Burnley side who had their relegation confirmed in north London.
After going behind, Postecoglou had to rely on his defenders to pull the side back into the game with goals from Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven sealing the comeback.
The victory has kept Tottenham’s faint Champions League hopes alive, but a win for Aston Villa tonight could crush them before Spurs next kick a ball.
Tuesday’s game against City could provide Spurs an opportunity to pull within a point of Villa, however, that would also play right into Arsenal’s hands for the title.
It is apparent Merson is not expecting any favours from Tottenham on Tuesday night after he spotted something really worrying after the Burnley game.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson has said Spurs’ lap of honour in their penultimate home game of the season spoke volumes ahead of Tuesday’s game.
“The thing is, you have to turn up against Manchester City because if you don’t they’ll embarrass you in front of your wife and kids and your family,” he said.
And when presenter Dave Jones pointed out the players’ families were there on Saturday for the lap of honour, Merson replied. “Well, that sums it up.
“No, that summed it up they done a lap of honour yesterday [Saturday]. Manchester United didn’t do it [on Sunday] and they’ve got Newcastle on Wednesday – they didn’t do it.”
“But no that was worrying yesterday.”
Tottenham’s home record against Manchester City should actually give Arsenal hope
Perhaps frustratingly for some Tottenham fans – ahead of Tuesday – their record at home against Guardiola’s men is seriously impressive.
The FA Cup defeat in January was the first time City have even been able to score a goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, never mind record a win.
However, there is now this sense from Arsenal supporters and some pundits that Tottenham owe them a favour to help them lift the title.
A completely bizarre nothing to consider when you remember the constant mocking Spurs receive from their north London rivals.
Regardless of whether Spurs win, draw or lose on Tuesday, they will somehow find themselves at the butt of a joke from Arsenal fans.