Wayne Rooney has given a candid assessment of the position that Tottenham Hotspur currently find themselves in as they moved even closer to the relegation spots.
Spurs could not use the extra energy and chaos of a derby to spring a surprise result on Sunday, with Arsenal simply proving too good for them.
The result means that 18th-placed West Ham have further closed the gap, now sitting just four points behind Tottenham, while Nottingham Forest are just two points behind.
Rooney has now given a brutal assessment of the quality of players Igor Tudor has to work with in N17.
Wayne Rooney claims Tottenham are not a top-six team anymore
The Man United legend suggested that Spurs simply do not have the quality of players anymore to be considered a ‘big six’ club.
He suggested that even Nottingham Forest have a better squad than the Lilywhites and called on the supporters to be more realistic about the team’s prospects.
Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer: “Tottenham are just not a good team. You talk about them being a big-six club, but if you go through the squad and players man-for-man, they’re probably in the position they should be.
“It’s obviously a big club with a nice, new stadium and a nice training ground, but I just don’t think the players are good enough to compete at the top end of the Premier League.
“Nottingham Forest have a better squad than them and they’re in a similar position in the league so, I think they’re being a bit naive, whether that’s the fans or the club, in thinking they’re a top-six team – they’re not, they’re miles off it.”
Rooney reveals if he expects Spurs to be relegated
Relegation would have disastrous financial consequences for Tottenham, but that is not something Igor Tudor is worried about.
The Spurs interim head coach was confident on Friday that Spurs will stay up, and Rooney also believes that the North Londoners will find a way to survive.
The 40-year-old added: “I think they’ll be fine, I don’t think they’ll get relegated, but they’re down there, just like they were last season and a little bit closer this season. But I think they’re just about good enough not to go down.
“Tottenham over the past 15 years have been towards the top end of the table and they’ve spent a lot of money on the stadium and players so if they get relegated, it’s a big worry for them.”