Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham should give attention to themselves heading into the north London derby with Arsenal, quite than on denting their rivals’ Premier League title hopes.
With 4 matches remaining, the Gunners are a degree clear on the summit from reigning champions Manchester Metropolis, who nonetheless have a sport in hand on Mikel Arteta’s facet in second place.
Whereas Arsenal look to remain very a lot within the hunt for a primary league crown in 20 years, fifth-place Tottenham will goal to cut back their six-point deficit to fourth-place Aston Villa, on whom they’ve two video games in hand.
Spurs are winless within the final three north London derbies – profitable simply one of the vital current six – although they twice got here from behind to earn a degree in September’s reverse fixture on the Emirates Stadium.
And Postecoglou has his sights firmly set on beating his facet’s rivals, and says his gamers should not pushed by the prospect of thwarting their opponents’ title bid.
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“Not by way of that as a motivation,” he mentioned when requested if he wish to dent Arsenal’s title hopes.
“I perceive the significance of profitable towards your conventional rival. I by no means imagine your motivation ought to revolve across the demise of someone else.
“Your motivation needs to be about your self. We will win on Sunday, however it doesn’t imply we’re title contenders this yr. I need to win as a result of I would like us to progress. I would like us to be able preventing for the title.
“If that’s your sort of measure, at all times peering over the again fence to see what your neighbour’s constructing, you might each have the worst homes on the street as a result of everybody else is constructing lovely locations, and also you’re wanting over the again fence.”