Spurs move on from old relationship

AS the players traipsed away from Wembley on Saturday afternoon, the gulf between the two clubs was highlighted by their differing destinations.

Arsene Wenger has told his senior players that because they are out of the FA Cup next weekend, they will all be expected to travel with the lesser lights to frosty Sweden for their Europa League match against Ostersund, rather than putting their feet up.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s lack of preoccupation with north London supremacy was indicated by the fact that even on the eve of their win at Wembley they were looking ahead to their trip to face a Juventus side who have featured in two of the past three Champions League finals.

“We were watching their game with Fiorentina on Friday,” said manager Mauricio Pochettino. “So there are many challenges: to overcome our lack of experience in the Champions League, to beat a great team like Juventus, to score against a team who have conceded one goal in 16 games. But if we could win the first leg it would be fantastic.”

For Tottenham, success in the Champions League is a bonus; the main aim is to bring the same competition to the new White Hart Lane next season.

Mousa Dembele said after Harry Kane’s solitary goal somewhat flattered their opponents that Spurs “100 per cent feel like a top-four club”.

For years, Arsenal had that same belief but, having fallen seven points behind their rivals, it is now arguable that their best route back into a competition they used to qualify for without fail is to win the Europa League. “I feel

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like in the first half we were just waiting for things to happen, we didn’t have the initiative to go forward,” said full-back Hector Bellerin.

“Then they came into the second half stronger than us and it’s something we need to look at because it happens sometimes and then we pay for it.”

A Premier League record audience of 83,222 watched Tottenham outclass their rivals. Eyes had been raised at Spurs’ arriviste decision to move to such a grand temporary home but they have shown they can fill it.

“The difference with when I came here in 2012 is massive,” said Dembele. “Every year we improve. With the same manager and the same philosophy, it’s easier. But it’s difficult to focus on whether we’re a bigger club than before. We’re just trying to do well every week.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, are left with only a cold, hard reality check; their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture something of a false dawn. “Reality is what we have today,” said Wenger, flatly. “In the first game it was reverse – overall I believe that was our real Premier League level. So I will play the normal team on Thursday. There is no reason why I should rest players.”

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