Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is expecting a tough test from close friend Unai Emery as he faces a new Arsenal side with a ‘very different culture’ to Arsene Wenger’s.
Sunday’s derby will be the first without Wenger since a 0-0 draw at Highbury in April 1996. Arsenal already seem to pose a much greater threat than in the Frenchman’s last years. Following defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea in their opening Premier League fixtures, the Gunners are on a 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions going into the first north London derby of the season.
Pochettino, who enjoys a strong relationship with Emery, said it was inevitable things were going to change with a new manager, but was quick to remind everyone of just how good Wenger was.
“Of course after Wenger era always when this situation happens with a new manager arriving things change in the club,” he said.
“I have a very good relationship with Unai, he is a great manager, he's doing a fantastic job there.
“Of course Arsenal have always been a good team with very good players and unbelievable management from one of the greatest managers ever. Now it is a completely different culture with a manager who is Spanish. It will be tough because they are doing a good job from the beginning of the season and signed very good players too. I think the squad has very good quality and it will be tough.”
The return of Arsenal as a serious top four contender, Pochettino believes, makes the race for those Champions League spots even harder this season, adding further significance to the clash on Sunday afternoon.
“Yes I think it’s tougher than last season because with the same points as this season last season we would have been second,” he added.
“I think yes, to be in the top four this season will be tougher than the previous season. Yes, I agree. But we have the belief that we can do it and deliver a very good job and that’s the most important thing, because we have the quality.”
Tottenham will have to wait on the fitness of Erik Lamela ahead of the game. The Argentine, who has been one of Pochettino’s best players this season, is to be assessed following a thigh injury against Inter Milan.
