The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham is not a friendly one, as it rightly shouldn’t be. The clubs have been in competition for European places year after year in the post-late 90s and early 00s era of dominance by the Gunners and Manchester United.
Arsenal certainly slipped away from title challenging and into the frustrating chase of Champions League football as the club was restricted financially under Arsene Wenger’s second-half tenure. Recently Tottenham have gotten an edge and finished above Arsenal for the past six seasons.
Something which the Tottenham faithful certainly aren’t afraid to remind Arsenal about. Despite the lack of silverware, of course.
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It’s an overused joke, no matter how true it may be. Yet what still rings true is the status Arsenal holds in the market and in the perspective of potential signings.
In looking over the interviews of players signed by both Arsenal and Tottenham, a trend suddenly became clear which is probably the best demonstration of the clear void that remains between the two sides.
Take Spurs’ signings from this season. Those brought in from outside the Premier League have referenced the English topflight as their "dream".
"It’s a dream come true to play in the Premier League," said Djed Spence. Signed from Middlesbrough after a strong season loan with Nottingham Forest, helping them to play-off final victory.
"I want to win a lot of games to be happy, to fight at the height of the classification. It’s a dream," Clement Lenglet explained after arriving on loan from Barcelona.
Those from the Premier League making internal switches referenced something different. The prize that Spurs claimed ahead of Arsenal last season is what is the focus of their 'dream'.
"It's a dream, isn't it?" Richarlison told the Spurs official website. "I was even commenting with my friends that (watching on) the TV gave us goosebumps, just listening to the theme song. Now I can be inside the stadium, listening to that music at the start of the match and playing the Champions League.
"I always said it was my dream to play in the Champions League, and now this dream will come true. And let's see what will happen, I hope to start this Champions League on the right foot."
Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma also made the switch to Spurs. Yet, it wasn’t the club that he made reference to as his 'dream'.
"It’s my dream, to play Champions League. I remember when I was younger, I watched the Champions League every day," said Bissouma.
Starting to see the pattern? The club is not the dream. The focus and desire of these players is to play in the Champions League.
When you compare that to the players that Arsenal signed this summer, this becomes glaringly obvious where the divide is drawn. Just listen to Oleksandr Zinchenko speak about Arsenal.
"Thank you so much. First of all, I would like to say this is a boyhood dream come true because I was a massive fan when I was a kid," he said upon his arrival.
"Since Thierry Henry and young Cesc Fabregas was playing here, I was just enjoying watching those games, that Arsenal. And obviously, I started to love this club, so I am so excited, and I cannot wait to play for this amazing club."
Gabriel Jesus opened the doorway from Man City before his Ukrainian teammate arrived. He referenced the Arsenal legends of old in his arrival interview.
"I followed Arsenal when I was young because of [Thierry] Henry,” he added. “Obviously I didn’t follow too many European teams but when I saw some of the players that played here, I was like 'wow, this club is big'. When I played against Arsenal, I was looking at the Emirates and it was a very good stadium, so I’m very excited to play here. I’m so happy to sign for this big club."
In his goodbye message to Manchester City, he used the tagline: "It is time to live a new dream." Telling indeed.
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