Sissoko risks wrath of Tottenham faithful by revealing his Arsenal ‘icon’

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Moussa Sissoko has done a whole lot of good this season, but his latest comments may not go down so well.

The French midfielder has enjoyed a stunning renaissance at Tottenham Hotspur, when at one point it looked as though he’d never turn things around.

Sissoko took full advantage of a spate of injuries at the club to nail down a place alongside Harry Winks in the engine room for Spurs.

He replaced Mousa Dembele, who has now been sold on, and has been a key figure for the north Londoners.

His popularity has certainly reached new heights this term, but his honesty might just land him in hot water with the fans.

‘In the playground, I was Vieira’

Sissoko has given a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Mail, where he touches on things from his family to his initial struggles at Spurs, to his World Cup snub.

He also revealed that ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was the man he looked up to as a youngster.

He said: “My first impressions of English football were the Arsenal team under Arsene Wenger. All the French players were there – Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira. My idol was Vieira. In the playground, I was Vieira.

“That is why I wanted to play in England. I was the same position, we have a similar style. He was a complete idol.”

This is not the first time Sissoko has spoken about Spurs’ bitter rivals. Before his move he talked up the Gunners and called their alleged interest in him ‘very flattering’ (Foot Mercato, June 2016).

Although Sissoko has been playing out of his skin this term, more Arsenal comments are surely inexcusable for the majority of Tottenham supporters.