Spurs: Injuries ‘taken their toll’ ahead of Arsenal says pundit
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes his side would be delighted to be in their present Premier League position had it been offered to them at the start of the season.
A 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday followed last Saturday's loss at Burnley and lessened Spurs' already slim title hopes.
Leaders Liverpool and second-placed Manchester City are nine and eight points clear, respectively.
Pochettino's side are four points ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal, their opponents at Wembley this weekend, with Manchester United a point further back and Chelsea seven points adrift of Spurs with a game in hand.
Pochettino said: "Everyone from the beginning of the season should be satisfied with that position before playing on Saturday, with the possibility of playing against Arsenal at Wembley with the gap at four points.
"The pressure is on them, not only us."
Pochettino acknowledges the occasion of a derby, but says every game is significant.
"Today Chelsea and Arsenal are the same level in terms of rivalry," he added.
"We are playing Fulham, Watford, West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea... they're all London derbies.
Tottenham injury news: Find out who will miss the Arsenal clash (Image: GETTY)
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"We are going to try and win the game because they're so important for the fans. But Burnley was important for the fans, too.
"The rivalry is so important because of the history, but every game, for us, is so important."
Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen are all injury concerns for Pochettino.
Allí has been out since suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham last month and is not expected to be involved against Arsenal.
Asked about when he might return, Pochettino said: “We don’t know. We need to assess day by day.
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Tottenham vs Arsenal: Who will come out on top? (Image: GETTY)
“He’s doing well but we cannot say if he’s going to be available for the weekend or for the next week or the games against Borussia Dortmund or Southampton.”
Dier has been sidelined with tonsillitis for Spurs’ last two games but the north London derby may be soon for the midfielder to return to action.
Jan Vertonghen missed the defeat at Chelsea through a hip problem and the Spurs boss is hoping the injury is not too serious.
Pochettino said: ”Hopefully, it's not a big issue and he can be available for the next game.”