THE CROW - Arsenal and Spurs - Gunners restore north London’s pecking order

Published: 23 September 2010

HARRY Redknapp said after Spurs were crushed by Arsenal in their beloved Carling Cup on Tuesday, the minor trophy they inexplicably treasure most, that one of the up sides of this huge defeat was that some of his young players had “learned a lot” by playing in front of a “big crowd”.

Well, Harry, I hate to be the one to tell you: They didn’t learn much in extra-time, did they? 

There wasn’t a big crowd there. There wasn’t even a little crowd. Just rows and rows of empty seats. 

A sea of blue plastic. Never has White Hart Lane been so empty with so much of a match left. With 25 minutes of football to be played, this wasn’t “we-can-see-you-sneaking-out” territory, this was a full blown fire drill rush to the doors. An exodus. 

How embarrassing. The lack of loyalty among the home fans was astonishing for a team that aspires to be a top club. As the TV cameras panned around the echoey, empty, stadium I was amazed.

I’m not sure I’ve seen an example of worse support in a derby match. 

Of course, there was no need for the Arsenal fans to do that cheap Tottenhamy thing of taking a souvenir picture of the scoreboard. That’s tacky. The empty seats said it all. Arsenal simply spent the night underlining the natural pecking order of  north London football.

It wasn’t a historic night. No need for DVD. 

RICHARD OSLEY

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THIS morning the sun didn’t shine, my coffee tasted different, and I pondered heavily the meaning of life.  

Then the angel on my shoulder said, “So what if Arsenal passed you off the park last night? It doesn’t matter about the 4-1 scoreline, it’s only the Carling Cup.”  

Then the devil appeared on the other side and said, 

“As far as I’m concerned, even if we play a game of Scrabble against Arsenal, I want to win it!” 

I concluded therefore, that this is all about the banter and the conversations will never be over. So I’ve cheered myself up and am afraid to say that it’s now official, thou shalt not tackle any player wearing an Arsenal shirt.  

You precious whinging lightweights! Arsene Wenger is not only doing football a disservice with complaints about the challenges his side endure but is also putting his players at risk. 

Why? Because teams know they don’t like it. 

This man would have us play football like a virtual reality video game: yet even in those part of the thrill is to see how high you can kick your opponent.  

What Arsene doesn’t seem to grasp is that there are governing rules for bad tackles, he may not like or understand them, but they are there. 

And to all you Gooners at the Lane on Tuesday night who observed the minute’s applause for the death of Spurs’ legend Bobby Smith… 

Respect is due.

TONY DALLAS