Even if the outcome improves Arsenal’s chances of winning the title, Ange Postecoglou doesn’t believe the premise that Tottenham supporters will want to lose against Man City and maintains that Spurs won’t “roll out the red carpet” for the current Premier League winners.
With a 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal reclaimed the top spot in the league, guaranteeing that the Premier League title contest will continue to the very end. However, Man City, who are now one point behind the Gunners, may take the top spot back if they win Tuesday’s match against Spurs.
In order to set themselves up for their first Premier League title in twenty years, Arsenal must now hope that their rivals in north London would do them a favor and help them win at home against Man City.
Spurs, in fifth position, still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League after Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool at home on Monday.
Postecoglou claims he is unable to comprehend the desire of Tottenham supporters for their team to fall short against Manchester City on Tuesday.
To be eligible for the Champions League the next season, Ange Postecoglou’s team needs to win both of their remaining away games against City and Sheffield United and hope Villa loses at Crystal Palace.
“You think the majority of our fans are not going to want us to win? I don’t see it that way. I think the majority of our fans will create the atmosphere they always create at our games,” the Spurs boss said.
“We’ve got a game of football to win and that’s what we’ll try to do. Man City haven’t won it yet and if you think they have, then it becomes an issue because we’re rolling out a red carpet for them and I’m not going to do that.
“I’m not just going to sit there and watch them win. That doesn’t sit comfortably with me.”
When asked if some supporters would rather lose than see Arsenal win the league, Ange Postecoglou responded as follows:
“What proportion? 50 per cent? 20 per cent? One per cent?
“That’s fine, people are allowed to feel the way they do.
“But I think I’ve been consistent and really strong in my beliefs that it’s important for this football club not to look for silver bullets to get to where we want to, it’s hard work, it’s resilience, it’s quality, not to fall for any false dawns – and know what real success looks like: trophies.
“Anything else in between, bragging rights, whatever it is, is absolutely meaningless to me or anyone involved with me. We’ve got a game we want to win.”
