Arsenal hero Per Mertesacker has sided with Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and urged them to try and beat Manchester City this evening, even if that helps the Gunners’ title chances.
BILD cover comments from the former defender and Arsenal’s head of youth academy as Tottenham get set to face Manchester City this evening.
That clash is set to be the potential title decider this season, with Arsenal currently one point in front of Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the table.
A win for City can therefore take them two points clear heading into the final day of the season, and a draw would leave them level with Arsenal.
Some Tottenham fans would be happy to see that happen, with it very much the sentiment on social media ahead of the game.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been publicly rallying against the idea, though, insisting he cannot understand any fans who would want to see their own team lose.
That’s a sentiment Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker absolutely shares, urging Tottenham and their players to be fair and not throw the towel in.
“It’s totally strange. The situation is simply that Spurs fans don’t want their team to win against Man City. That’s crazy,” he said.
“Hopefully it stays fair. That’s actually so nice about football: nobody goes on the pitch and wants to lose the game. The rivalry is completely ignored.
“When I’m on the pitch, there’s so much at stake on an individual level. Giving it away is an absolute foreign word! Hopefully the Spurs fans’ wish will not be fulfilled by the players at all.”
