Is north London the world capital of mental weakness? At least in football? Arsenal have displayed an unerring capacity to fold under pressure over the past few years and it must be catching. Tottenham seemed infected in the north London derby.
Spurs look exhausted. Mauricio Pochettino’s rigorous training methods may have been too exacting as the weariness in the legs seems accompanied by a tiredness of thought and purpose. There is hope, though.
Pochettino’s side look like a team who will learn from the experience. That’s something Arsene Wenger’s men never seem to do. For Arsenal’s title challenge, it’s all a bit “same as last year”. In the worst possible way.
YOU WON’T FIND ROMANCE IN HULL
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The madness of modern football, part 786. The FA Cup fifth-round replay is more important to Arsenal than Hull, who will rest players tomorrow because the new TV deal means being in the Premier League next season will make them richer than AC Milan. The Cup? Glory? Don’t be silly.
Arsenal will put out a strong team because it’s their most realistic hope of a trophy. Let’s hope the Gunners win. When the giant killers decide they’d rather be squashed because of money, romance is just about dead.
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