Sky Sports presenter gets into heated Arsenal-Tottenham debate with Paul Merson

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has spoken multiple times about how Spurs’ project is different the other top six clubs due to their transition into the new stadium.

The Argentine emphasised this yet again in a recent press conference, where he delved into Tottenham’s unbeaten record at White Hart Lane in their last season at their former home.

He said the team then has had to re-adapt to Wembley for the last couple of seasons and suggested that this had probably cost them the chance to win trophies.

Pochettino also pointed out how Spurs’ stadium transition is hardly discussed in the media anymore even though the problems Arsenal and West Ham United faced with their move into their respective new grounds were well documented.

Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling asked about Pochettino’s comments to former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, and Merson suggested that Tottenham will inevitably have to sell players due to the costs of their new stadium.

Merson on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, January 26th, 12:48) said: “Arsenal had to sell players and Tottenham are not as big as Arsenal y’know what I mean so how can they not have to sell players? I think that’s where the manager knows this and is just having a little dig without…”

Stelling abruptly interrupted Merson to fire back at the former Arsenal player for his remark.

He said, “Just like you’re having a little dig by saying Tottenham are not as big as Arsenal.”

Merson, however, doubled down on his initial remark responding, “I don’t think they are at this moment, in time who knows, if they can start winning stuff then they will overtake Arsenal but…”

A heated argument then ensued between the two where they debated if history should come into the debate and Stelling pointed out how the Lillywhites now regularly qualify for the Champions League, unlike their North London rivals.

Paul Merson eventually backtracked a little from his initial remark.

He said, “I had to pause before I said it (Arsenal being bigger than Spurs). It wasn’t as if I would have said it over the years so y’know what I mean, y’know.”

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