Only two points separated both Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League this season, and what a difference it was for Antonio Conte’s men.
It’s Champions League football for one side of north London and Spurs will be hoping, along with it, comes an advantage in trying to lure players to the club ahead of Arsenal.
One player that is seemingly on both clubs’ radar is Southampton midfielder, James Ward-Prowse.
The Daily Star have reported that Arsenal are keen to sign the England international, whilst Spurs are also in the running for his signature.
There must be something with players that have double-barrel surnames because they can sure cross a football, as both Ward-Prowse and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold are the prime examples.
Liverpool’s creator from the right, along with Ward-Prowse and Kevin de Bruyne, are perhaps three of the best crosses of the ball in England’s top-flight.
Whether it be from dead-ball situations or open play, you don’t want to be on the end of their body-twisting whip.
Whilst many would have felt that given Liverpool’s dominance going forward that Alexander-Arnold would have been the one making the most crosses this season.
Well, it’s his fellow countryman from the South Coast who tops that chart with an incredible 302 crosses during the recently-concluded campaign to Trent’s 273 (Premier League).
The next best in third place is Burnley winger, Dwight McNeil, so the above two really are in a league of their own.
WILL SPURS HOLD THE EDGE OVER ARSENAL IN WARD-PROWSE RACE?
Nonetheless, someone like Spurs would feel they hold their edge in bringing Ward-Prowse to the capital.
In Conte’s system, someone like Harry Kane would feed off a player like Ward-Prowse all day and everyday.
First of all, he has someone deeper than him that can carry the ball forward and put that quality delivery into the box.
It pushes the Spurs hitman further forward and it benefits the whole team because their best player is then taking up dangerous areas on a more consistent basis.
But whilst Spurs and Arsenal have Ward-Prowse in their sights, he did only sign a contract last season, so it’s not going to be easy to sign him up.
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