FORMER ARSENAL DEFENDER Martin Keown has warned Tottenham that if they wish to keep hold of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, they will have to become more successful.
Mauricio Pochettino has built a side that has earned praise for its attractive football, but over his time with Spurs he has been unable to break a title duck that dates back to 2008, when they defeated Chelsea in the League Cup final.
Ahead of Saturday’s north London derby, Keown has warned fans of the Gunners’ bitter rivals that unless silverware follows their silky style, Tottenham may be forced to offload some of their greatest talents.
“While Tottenham’s rivals are admiring their squad, nobody is looking over in envy at their trophy cabinet,” he told the Daily Mail.
“For all the plaudits, Spurs are yet to win a major honour under Pochettino.
“To keep hold of this promising side and prove that a shift in power has taken place, Tottenham need to start winning trophies.”
Keown speaks from experience, having seen Nicolas Anelka, Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit depart the trophyless Gunners at the end of the 1990s.
“Harry Kane and Dele Alli are as valuable to Tottenham now but if Mauricio Pochettino does not start winning trophies, he risks a similar break-up of his side,” he said.
“After the departures of Anelka, Overmars and Petit, we were able to rebuild and win the Double in 2002 but there is no guarantee Pochettino would be able to do the same.”
Since Spurs won the League Cup, Arsenal have claimed three FA Cups but finished below their rivals for the first time in 22 years last term.
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Hahaha love that
@Dylan Byrne: was there a trophy on the line today?
@grandslamkbo: I commented on that before the game. Anyway, even if there had been one on the line your trophy cabinet still wouldn’t be something that he would admire!
Not big team yet
@Aidan O: Sure they’ve won sweet FA. As Keane would say, it’s Spurs.
@Noel Ryan: Now its “only Arsenal.”
@GITBTSWORDS: You sure about that?
History has to start somewhere. Clearly bitter that Spurs are a better team than Arsenal now with a better manager. When was Arsenal’s last league title? What’s gonna hamstring Spurs is the wage structure.
@Nollaig Elliot: When was Spurs last title?
@Nollaig Elliot: Arsenal’s last league title? 2004 – a full 43 years after Spurs’ last one
@Nollaig Elliot: where is spurs last title?
@ColmD: Irish people arguing over the fortunes of 2 London clubs. Winning.
@Nollaig Elliot: pochettino is a better manager than Wenger? Hahahahha good one
@grandslamkbo: says the Irish person with a podcast on Korean baseball
You have to admire those who get paid great amounts of dosh to all but state the bleedin’ obvious.
Spurs have stability , only a few good signings needed to bulk up and Martin might be surprised when he looks in the cabinet ? Good manager also
Caesar.