Ian Wright has predicted up to six clubs could challenge for the Premier League title next season after his former club Arsenal’s exploits this year, but he does not think Tottenham Hotspur will be among the fight next time around.
It has been a thoroughly disappointing season for Spurs fans this year. Poor performances and results on the pitch have been matched by a myriad of issues off the pitch with managers coming and going and protests against the board.
Tottenham are currently in seventh place in the league with two games to go, but could find themselves knocked out of the European qualifying spots by Aston Villa come the end of the season.
North London rivals Arsenal meanwhile have enjoyed an impressive campaign, and even topped the table for more than 200 days.
However, a dip in form of late has seen Manchester City overtake them and Pep Guardiola’s side look set to claim the title once again.
In a recent episode of the Wrighty’s House podcast, Wright revealed how proud he is of this Arsenal side, but warned them the title race will be even more competitive next year.
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Despite naming six sides who could be in the mix next term, Spurs did not get a mention.
He said: “Looking ahead, the slight worry I have for Arsenal is that Mauricio Pochettino is heading to Chelsea so they’re coming. They have an excellent squad.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with Manchester United but you know they aren’t going to sleep for too long.
“Liverpool are going to be making the signings they need to get them back to where they want to be.
“You look at those sides plus Man City and Arsenal – and even Newcastle – they’re all coming now and that’s exciting.”
Wright does have some concerns over the competitiveness of the Premier League however, adding: “If Man City can win five titles in six years and they keep winning, it’s tough because teams know they need at least 90 points to compete. Liverpool showed us it can be done but look at what it did to them.
“What we all need to be worried about is a situation where Man City just win it at a canter because while Liverpool and now Arsenal have given it a good go, [City] are still doing it.
“People mock the French and German leagues but the Premier League, if we’re not careful, is on that path.”
To the surprise of no one, Wright omitted Spurs from his thoughts on the solution. “The only thing stopping that is teams like Liverpool and Arsenal standing up, that’s why we need Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United back and Newcastle coming up too.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Ian Wright is never going to say he wants Spurs to challenge at the top. With the way things are at the club right now, we can’t expect to be included in these kind of conversations, either.
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