by Victor Spinks

Created on: August 02, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Not if, as most people think, it will be at the expense of Arsenal, whom Tottenham must beat and who are, on paper and in most people's minds, the weakest of the so-called big four (the others being Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool). I recently read an article in which a Spurs player, recently signed, said in so many words that they are ready to take Arsenal's champion's league spot. I thought that was pretty unambitious, since Arsenal (yes, I'm a gooner) always look to challenge for the league title, the domestic cups, the champions league, and whatever else is out there to win, which normally means overcoming Manchester United and Chelsea and also means not spending that much time thinking about Spurs. Arsenal meet them at least twice a season and know better than to lose to them. The sad truth is that Tottenham Hotspur still haven't forgotten or forgiven Arsenal for coming up from south to north London in the early 20th century and stealing some of their fan base and glory they felt rightfully theirs. They have been bent on revenge ever since, a bitterness temporary salved on a couple of occasions with FA and Uefa cup victories during the 1980s, for example, when Arsenal weren't about too much, and an anecdotal victory in the 1991 FA cup semi final, where Tottenham later went on to win the trophy. Arsenal, however, by winning the league title that year, still managed the last laugh. It doesn't matter who Tottenham field against Arsenal, there is a psychological load they carry which continues to prevent them from being north London's top club, and therefore in the league's top four. What they must do is make an attempt to win the title, then they may just reach the goal they set out to achieve, but if they think that overcoming Arsenal will win them a place in the champions league, they will be the nearly men. Again.

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