Stan Collymore says gap between Conte and Arteta is huge

By Jordan Harris

Stan Collymore has told the Sunday People (22/5; page 55) that the gap between Antonio Conte and Mikel Arteta is huge as he backed Tottenham Hotspur to pip Arsenal to fourth place in the Premier League.

Spurs are on pole position to book their ticket to next year’s Champions League. They sit fourth in the table. And they only require a point away at Norwich to get across the line.

Of course, it had been Arsenal who had got themselves to the brink of the line. However, two defeats, including one in the North London derby saw the Gunners fall back. They have to beat Everton to stand any chance of overtaking Tottenham.

It is fair to say that Collymore is not Arteta’s biggest admirer. He previously insisted that Arsenal should sack the Spaniard and replace him with Patrick Vieira.

So it should come as absolutely no surprise that Collymore sees the gulf between Conte and Arteta being the big difference between the two clubs.

“I’ve said over a number of years that the Gunners are mentally weak and too nice – every platitude you can throw at them is fair,” he told the Sunday People (22/5; page 55).

“A decent club that spends more time taking care of kit launches and leisurewear than putting a successful team out on the pitch.

“You could argue the same with Spurs – but that changed when Antonio Conte walked in the door.

“The difference between serial-winner Conte and project-manager Arteta is huge.

“And that will be obvious today when Spurs clinch a top-four spot.”

Gap between Conte and Arteta huge as Tottenham look set to edge Arsenal for top-four

Arteta has had a turbulent spell at the Emirates. And missing out on the top-four looks set to open the door for criticism. They did spend a lot of money in the summer. And a Champions League spot was in their hands.

Arsenal are definitely moving in the right direction. But clearly, the impact Conte has had at Tottenham has been remarkable.

They were only a couple of points behind the Gunners when he took over. But he has only had one transfer window at the helm.

Both clubs look to have real potential. And Collymore is probably being harsh on Arteta. But it does appear that Tottenham have an opportunity to leave Arsenal behind for some time while Conte is in charge – unless there is one final shock in store for this season.