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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I think it’s a pity they were drawn in the same group. It looks much easier to qualify in the others – England have no competition, shít as they are.
Damian Delaney does not seen to get much of a look in for Ireland in a position where I think we are at our weakest since dunney retired
It seems Kevin Doyle would have to run over MON’s puppy to get taken out of the squad. He hasn’t really done anything at club level in the last 3 years (and that includes a barren spell in League 1), yet he’s in the there each time.
Forde
Coleman-O’Shea-Wilson-Brady
McGeady-McCarthy-Gibson-McClean
Quinn
Keane
Brady has started the last 2 or 3 games at LB and kept Raheem Sterling pretty quite against Liverpool.No reason why Quinn can’t play that link role either.Alternative could be to play Wilson LB and Throw Clark,Delaney or Keogh in beside O’Shea. Would personally love to see 3 at the back and two up top but that won’t happen, something like this maybe
Forde
Keogh-O’Shea-Wilson
Coleman-McCarthy-Gibson-Quinn-Brady
Keane-Long
Ireland will not win this game
Sure what do you care? You’re not a fan anyway apparently.
If you want to make some handy money before xmas (like me), back Scotland to either win or draw. Free money.
Might make money in the longer run if you bet on a draw in all the games involving 2 of Ireland, Scotland,Poland.
Pear!
Not feeling overly optimistic about this one.
Ok
Lets go