Jens Lehmann has brushed off claims that Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, ‘isn’t at Antonio Conte’s level’ by stating the Tottenham manager’s system has ‘a lot of weaknesses’.
Heading into the final few weeks of the season, it seems as though it will be a straight north London shootout for that Premier League’s fourth spot.
As things stand, it’s Arteta who is winning that battle, after his side beat Manchester United at the weekend and their neighbours dropped points at Brentford.
Manchester United and West Ham would have also dreamed of that final Champions League finish, but they have been way too inconsistent during these past few weeks.
Nonetheless, when it was put to Highbury hero Lehmann that Conte is at a higher level than Arteta, this is how the German responded on Stadium Astro.
“I disagree a little,” said Lehmann. “Antonio Conte is playing a certain system and when you know about the system, then there are ways to exploit that system.
“If you play with a five at the back, then it has a lot of weaknesses. So, I wouldn’t say Arteta isn’t at Antonio Conte’s level because nearly being sacked at the beginning of the season, he has done really well.
“Conte still needs to show, the great impact he has had so far, needs to be finished for the fourth spot in the table.”
All eyes will be on that north London derby next month and the ding-dong battle that will commence between both teams.
On an off-day, when Arsenal and Tottenham meet, it’s an entertaining affair, so this one is destined to be right up there in terms of entertainment value.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if both teams continue to drop points until they lock horns because they have both lost grip of fourth spot when initially taking charge of it.
Whilst Arsenal won the battle during the reverse fixture, it was Nuno Espirito Santo in the dugout back then, but Arteta faces a different task now.
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