Tottenham Hotspur star Ben Davies praises Arsenal for backing Mikel Arteta over sacking the Spaniard. He also admires the Gunners coach’s work ahead of the north London derby.
Spurs play host to their fierce rivals this Sunday seeking revenge for October’s 3-1 defeat. Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka scored at Emirates Stadium to secure the points earlier this season. Harry Kane initially drew Tottenham level at 1-1 with a penalty.
Davies did not play in the last north London derby as the Tottenham defender sustained a hairline fracture to the bone just underneath his knee. But the 29-year-old is key for coach Antonio Conte with 15 Premier League games over his 21 appearances so far this season.
Davies has not featured at Emirates Stadium since December 2018 when Arsenal won 4-2 against Tottenham. But he has played in 2-1, 2-0 and 3-0 wins for Spurs as the home team in the past three top-flight north London derbies held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Conte will hope Tottenham add another win to their tally against Arsenal this Sunday after dropping down in the table. Spurs go into the weekend fifth in the table while the Gunners top the standings. Tottenham have also played a game more yet trail Arsenal by 11 points.
Tottenham star Ben Davies has reluctant praise for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta
Davies is reluctantly appreciative of the work Arteta has done to turn Arsenal into a table-topping team before visiting Tottenham. The Spaniard took over from Unai Emery back in December 2019 with the Gunners 10th in the table. They are now five points clear in first.
Spurs’ £10m signing from Swansea City in July 2014 also gives credit to the Gunners board for backing their coach. Arteta oversaw Arsenal’s worst start to a league season in 67 years last term. During which The Telegraph reported the Spaniard was fighting to keep his job.
“Clearly, what Arteta has done there has been very good,” Davies conceded, via quotes by talkSPORT. “But I’m sure there were very tough times for him as well when things weren’t going their way. So, credit to the club for sticking by him, it seems to be paying dividends.”
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