Mauricio Pochettino has lavished praise on Arsène Wenger ahead of the first north London derby of the season, describing his counterpart at Arsenal as a "very special manager", an "innovator" and someone who deserves to be shown maximum respect.
Pochettino and Wenger go head-to head at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Tottenham three places and four points ahead of their local rivals in the Premier League having finished above them for the first time in 22 years in the previous campaign.
Pochettino refuses to believe his team are favourites to win at the weekend or that Wenger is a busted flush having come under more criticism from his own supporters, as well as outside observers, in recent months.
“In football history he’s one of the great managers, the same level as [Alex] Ferguson,” Pochettino said. “He will always be a special manager. To keep motivation more than three years is difficult. Five years, you must be very good, very good if you’re 10 years. When you talk about 20 years it’s amazing. Everyone who talks about him needs to show respect. Some days you’re good, some days not so good. But [show] respect.
“Wenger was an innovator ahead of everyone, like Ferguson. It’s difficult to innovate but you must try to create a project under your ideas and philosophies to take you ahead of other clubs. They were ahead. That’s why my respect and admiration is high.”
Harry Kane
Tottenham have failed to win at the Emirates since a 3-2 victory in November 2010, when Harry Redknapp was manager, and their chances of ending that run has been boosted by the return to first-team training on Thursday of Harry Kane, Deli Alli and Harry Winks, all of whom missed England's recent friendlies against Germany and Brazil due to knee, hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
Hugo Lloris also returned to training having missed the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace prior to the international break due to a groin strain.
“I hope we can count on them for the game,” said Pochettino. “We need to decide between the medical staff, sports science staff and us. But I am happy. If they cannot play on Saturday I’m sure they’re close for Tuesday [for the Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund] or next weekend [for the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion].”
Tottenham have, however, suffered an injury setback with the news that Toby Alderweireld could be out until the new year with the hamstring injury he sustained in the 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at the start of the month.
“He’s disappointed and a bit sad but at the same time focused to recover as soon as possible and work hard,” said Pochettino. “He’s in the first stage of rehab. We’re happy but always in this type of injury we must be cautious. We need to wait.”
Late fitness tests
Wenger confirmed Olivier Giroud will miss the derby with a minor injury. Laurent Koscielny should be fit to start after remaining on the France bench during the international break after recovering from an achilles problem. Shkodran Mustafi and Danny Welbeck will have late fitness tests.
The Arsenal manager also provided an update on the rehabilitation of Santi Cazorla. The midfielder has been missing from the first team for over a year after serious complications with an ankle injury. Wenger described the condition as “horrific”.
“It started with a little pain in the achilles and it has gone from worse to worse. I feel very sorry for what happened to him, because it is unbelievable. I hope he comes back. I left him out of the squad, hoping he would be available in January and that is what I hope for.”
– Guardian
