For Tottenham and Arsenal fans alike, winning the derby against the North London rival always has a special flavor. Especially since in general, such success is often accompanied by a good operation at the top of the ranking. What will not really be the case this Sunday between two neighbors struggling in the Premier League, with Spurs only 9th, just a small point behind Gunners who probably missed, five days ago, their last chance to come and join the fight for a place in the Champions League by conceding a draw against Leicester (1-1). In the very modern Tottenham stadium, it will therefore above all be a question of honor and pride during the 35th day of the championship even if the winner can still dream of an improbable ascent to the Top 5 on the mathematical level.
For José Mourinho, this duel against Arsenal - a club with which he has had a tumultuous relationship for a long time due to at least conflicting relationships with a certain Arsène Wenger - could serve as a lifeline after an extremely season complicated. A year ago, around the same time, the Spurs were enjoying a well-deserved vacation after reaching the Champions League final. A course they have been very far from repeating this season with a clean elimination and without burr against Leipzig in the round of 16 (0-1, 0-3). And in the championship, the panorama is hardly more pleasing, leaving the image of a Portuguese coach without spring tactically since his appointment last November, following a Mauricio Pochettino dismissed unceremoniously.
200th Premier League victory, despite everything
Even having won against Everton (1-0) on July 6 the 200th victory of his career on a bench in the Premier League, what he is only the fifth coach in history to achieve (in only 326 matches moreover, only Sir Alex Ferguson did better in 322 games), will not be enough for a Mourinho who, however, has remained true to himself. And his reputation as a loving coach when it "fights". Thus, he was delighted, in the week, of the lively quarrel between Hugo Lloris and Heung-Min Son at halftime of the match in Bournemouth (0-0). Similarly, one of the soap operas of his season will have been his relationship, oh how delicate, with Tanguy Ndombele. Very clearly, between the two men, the current does not pass, or more, and Mourinho would have only one desire: to see the French midfielder leave England.
Still the king of the conflict
But Mourinho was not content to be cold with Ndombele. Since the resumption of the championship, after the long break linked to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Portuguese has also surprised by his choices, notably leaving Toby Alderweireld moping on the sidelines for three matches while the Belgian defender was the leader in the within the Spurs. Same observation of failure on the tactical level. The abandonment of 3-5-2 dear to Pochettino with the establishment of a 4-4-2 did not bear fruit, especially in the offensive with a formation whose quality of play was as declining this season. In Mourinho's defense, however, it should be noted that he was not helped by each other's injuries, notably those of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, two of his main assets. He also didn't give youngsters Ryan Sessegnon and Gedson Fernandes a chance.
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So many elements that do not argue in his favor and that a success this Sunday against Arsenal will not be enough to make us forget. To defend himself, Saturday at a press conference, the Portuguese asked for time. "How long did it take for Jurgen (Klopp) and Liverpool? Four Seasons. By buying one of the best goalkeepers in the world, one of the best defenders in the world ... By the way, today I am concentrating on my three-year contract and I am convinced that during this one, we will be able to win trophies. " And Mourinho added, by way of optimistic conclusion: “I believe in it because I start working from day one. Because I think we are going to make some changes to our team, and for that we don't need a huge investment like the club did last summer. I can't believe the season is going to be so full of negative episodes like we've had it since practically the first day. There are many reasons to believe it will be different. ”
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- Premier League Ranking
