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Jose Mourinho on why he’s excited to play Arsenal after Freddie Ljungberg appointment
Jose Mourinho is looking forward to Tottenham’s upcoming clash against Arsenal, but that isn’t just down to Freddie Ljungberg’s appointment.
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Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is already looking forward to his first north London derby against Arsenal, despite it being more than four months away. Spurs take on the Gunners at home on April 25 as the season comes to a close, with caretaker boss Freddie Ljungberg hoping to stay in the job until the end of the season.
Tottenham and Arsenal drew 2-2 in their first derby this year as both sides struggle to keep up with the top four.
Spurs took action first by sacking Mauricio Pochettino, with Arsenal following by ending Unai Emery’s contract prematurely.
Mourinho has won his first two games in charge against both West Ham and Olympiakos, with Ljungberg hoping to do the same against Norwich and then Brighton on Thursday.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has given his thoughts on the potential match-up, and outlined why he is already excited.
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“I know what it means for our fans,” Mourinho said before Tottenham’s clash against Bournemouth.
“I look forward to playing against Arsenal. I want to play against Arsenal.
“But with Mauricio or Emery or Freddie Ljungberg or whoever else, that’s no problem.
“I know the big ones and I know that’s a big one.
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“Not just because Arsenal is a big club that fights for the same objectives as we do.
“But also I know the meaning. And I like it.”
One player that could make his first start for the club on Saturday is 19-year-old Ryan Sessegnon, who has been compared to a Champions League winner by his manager.
“I think Ryan is absolutely fantastic, I have known him since a kid in Fulham,” Mourinho said.
“When he comes to the first team in the Premier League it is different to the Championship.
“I think in this moment he is a winger on the left, can also play on the right, can learn progressively and even developing physically, which he is doing.
“Even last time I saw him and the first time I met him when I came here he is already different physically.”
“I think Ryan can play as a left-back,” Mourinho later added.
“Probably the left-back in the last decade was Ashley Cole, in spite of him being from two enemy clubs, but he was fantastic.
“But Ryan has lots of similarities with Ashley, and he can learn how to defend.”
Spurs go into the game against Bournemouth hoping to move up to fifth in the table, having been 14th when Pochettino was sacked.
Arsenal are eights before their test against Norwich, and could rise to within five points of the top four this weekend.