02 January 2023 , 18:07
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There is certainly a stark contrast in mood between the two North London clubs at the moment as Arsenal fly high at the top of the Premier League while Tottenham languish 13 points behind in fifth.
Ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara could barely hide his envy as he waxed lyrical over one Gunners star in particular - Bukayo Saka. The England international has been in sensational form for his club this season, with stellar performances coming either side of an impressive World Cup campaign with the Three Lions.
Saka is currently sitting on seven Premier League goals, the most recent of which came on New Year's Eve during Arsenal's 4-2 statement victory away at Brighton. With title rivals Manchester City dropping points at home to Everton earlier on in the day, the pressure was firmly on the Gunners to capitalise.
That is exactly what they did, but the same cannot be said for their neighbours who fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa and in turn conceded their fourth-placed position to Champions League qualification rivals Manchester United who registered a 1-0 win over Wolves the day prior.
After defeat at home to Villa, Conte appeared to tell supporters to reassess their expectations as he explained: "I want to be honest, I want to be very clear. I have said this to the club, I have said my opinions. The fans deserve the best. Maybe to stay in 5th is the best, maybe 6th, 7th, 5th or 4th is the best."
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He also admitted the Spurs' squad needs strengthening and lacks creativity, with comments that certainly irked O'Hara as he bemoaned the fact that Conte seems unwilling to turn to the club's academy for solutions.
Bukayo Saka was among the goals for Arsenal once again against Brighton (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Conte's assessment of Spurs' struggles fair? Comment below
Compare that with Arsenal's faith in youth and how it has paid off with players like Saka and Emile Smith Rowe - it suddenly becomes an even bleaker picture for Conte and co.
"Where are the young players coming through [at Tottenham]? Where’s our Saka, where’s our [Phil] Foden, where’s Tottenham’s [Marcus] Rashford?", O'Hara pondered on talkSPORT.
"I mean, we talk about spending money, but hold on a minute, where’s the academy? Tottenham is meant to have one of the best academies in the world.
"It’s fantastic, brilliant coaches, where are those players? Where’s the player saving us £150m, Arsenal have got Saka, Smith Rowe.
"Arsenal have brought through Saka, there’s a £150m player that they’ve got there, that they’ve produced for nothing. The last player they [Spurs] brought through was Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp. Harry Kane ’s the only one who’s been a star, he’s 29."
The Gunners have one Premier League clash against Newcastle and an FA Cup tie away at Oxford before they make the short trip across the north of the capital to face off with their most fierce rivals on January 15.