Tottenham Hotspur have well and truly eclipsed Arsenal in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Spurs have gone from strength to strength this season, whilst the Gunners continue to struggle amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of manager Arsene Wenger, and star players Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Whilst there are many different variables that have contributed to the shift of power in north London, one area in particular where Tottenham have far outperformed Arsenal is in the transfer market, and the incredible value for money they have secured compared to their fierce rivals.
Since 2012, both clubs have made significant changes to their playing staff.
During that four-and-a-half year period, the Lilywhites brought in three stars who are now considered to be some of the most important players in Maurcio Pochettino’s side – Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen, all for a combined £37 million.
Arsenal, on the other hand, laid out an extortionate £112 to secure the signings of three players, who operate in the same position as the aforementioned Tottenham stars, over the course of the same period – Shkodran Mustafi, Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil.
And the performances of those six players, this season in particular, could not have been more contrasting.
Eriksen, 25, has scored seven goals and chipped in with 11 assists in 30 Premier League outings, whilst Ozil, 28, has contributed with six goals and six assists.
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen
It is not only the stats where the Spurs man has been superior to the German, however. He puts in a shift, and looks like he will always give his all for Tottenham, unlike the Gunners star, who often exudes a quite appalling attitude.
Then there is the huge difference in performance and influence between Alderweireld and Mustafi.
The Belgian is now considered to be one of the best centre-backs in the world, and has been a key figure behind Spurs’ superb record of just 22 goals conceded in 31 Premier League games.
Mustafi meanwhile has proven to be a liability at the heart of a leaky Arsenal defence that has shipped 39 goals in 31 league outings.
And finally, the comparison between Xhaka and Dembele. The two midfielders play in a similar deep-lying role. Both are left-footed, and supposedly possess the same kind of attributes.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gestures towards Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka
Yet the Belgium international’s performances have put the Swiss star’s displays in the shade this term.
Whilst Dembele exudes class, composure and a determined drive, Xhaka seems to induce panic with the reckless manner in which he plays.
All of the players mentioned highlight how poor the Gunners scouting network is, in comparison to their rivals.
Wenger’s signings are usually the by-product of heavy criticism from fans, and almost seem to have been a ploy to pacify the Emirates faithful, rather than genuine attempts to address areas of his squad which needed attention.
And with the fruits of Pochettino’s labour now beginning to become clear for all to see, something has to dramatically change a Arsenal over the summer, if they are to regain their tag as top dogs in north London.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
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