Heading into the final few months of the season, both Arsenal and Tottenham are fighting for huge causes.
The Premier League title is on the agenda for one part of north London, with Champions League football for the other.
And you imagine, ahead of their meeting on April 27, they both have the chance to spoil each other’s season, with Declan Rice very much looking forward to the challenge, even if he ‘hates watching’ all of Arsenal’s rivals.
The club-record signing noted the quality across the Premier League and gave his flowers to Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur, as he told Sky Sports.
After losing star man Harry Kane in the summer, Tottenham have recovered and reacted pretty well by being on the cusp of Champions League football.
Most teams would have struggled with losing such a key player, but Ange Postecoglou is the one who has reacted well and ensured his team are near the top.
That’s why Declan Rice was keen to say they have been ‘unreal’ under the Treble winner at Celtic, who earned a draw at the Emirates with Spurs earlier on in the campaign and will now be pushing for the maximum points.
Declan Rice on Tottenham
“I hate watching it now,” said Rice. “I see the results, but I just try to focus on what we are doing. We can’t control what others are doing.
“The league is so strong. Man City are unbelievable. Liverpool are unbelievable. Spurs have been unreal under Ange. Villa under Emery have been so good as well.
“Every game is so tough and you can’t overlook anyone. Anything can happen. I am really relishing going out every week and having to play really well, you have to do that to win games.
“What is there 13 to go? 12 to go? One game ahead. Never look ahead. Everyone has tough fixtures and let’s see what happens.”
Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham
Mikel Arteta did the double over Spurs last season and it’s something they will want to seriously avoid this time around.
Whatever part of north London, you feel the one that can secure maximum points, will cause serious damage to the other.
Something will get disrupted, one way or another, and if you are Tottenham, you don’t want your biggest rivals turning up and possibly winning English football’s biggest crown on your doorstep.
Either way, the ending to the 2023/24 season might just provide its biggest drama because there is still a lot of football to be played yet.
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