Paul Merson told Sky Sports that he thought Tottenham were going to sell players ‘left, right and centre’ when they moved into their new stadium ‘a bit like Arsenal’ when they moved into the Emirates.
The outspoken TV pundit was comparing situations in North London and was baffled by the fact that Spurs are ‘spending more money than Arsenal’.
It doesn’t help Arsenal’s cause that Jose Mourinho has guided Spurs to the top of the Premier League table and could open up a lead if they beat Mikel Arteta’s faltering side at the weekend.
Merson touched upon how Spurs have done something he never expected and how ‘quickly’ his former side have now fallen behind their bitter rivals.
“The saddest thing for me is how far, and how quickly, Arsenal have fallen behind Tottenham,” said Merson. “Tottenham have just built one of the best stadiums in the world.
“I thought they were going to be selling players left, right and centre. A bit like Arsenal after they built the Emirates. Every year a star player went.
“Tottenham are spending more money than Arsenal! Tottenham have a team there and are in that group where they can win the league. You look at Arsenal, and they’re in the group with Leicester, Southampton, Everton, West Ham, a few others.”
Arsenal moved into the Emirates Stadium in 2006, whilst their neighbours made their switch into their new big-money project in 2019.
Many thought that Arsenal were building a road to domination when they moved into the new home, but it has been far from that.
Spurs still have a long way to go because they are still craving that trophy, and if it doesn’t arrive during these coming seasons, then supporters will start to worry about their club falling down the route of selling players.
But, until then, they will enjoy sitting top of the pile in England’s top-flight, but all of that goes out of the window this Sunday.
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