Antonio Conte has hit back at Mikel Arteta’s concerns regarding a fixture pile-up in the Premier League.
Arteta made headlines this week by labelling the Gunners’ turnaround of playing on Wednesday evening at home to Liverpool before visiting Aston Villa at lunchtime on Saturday, as “not fair” by sarcastically saying ‘thank you to the Premier League’.
Now, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has hit back at Mikel Arteta that he has no right to complain about an unfair fixture list after January’s north London derby was called off at their request.
Conte said: “I only want Arteta to remember the game postponed. Tottenham – Arsenal okay? If we speak about unfair. I stop.
In general, I think my answer is enough. Okay, yeah, it’s enough. If someone wants to speak about fair or unfair. We postponed the game, Tottenham-Arsenal, if you remember. I don’t.
“I don’t forget this, and I think that it’s not right to speak about fair or unfair.”
Tottenham new injury blow.
Japhet Tanganga’s knee injury will now keep him out for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.(image: Getty)
Tottenham revealed on Friday morning that Japhet Tanganga’s knee injury will now keep him out for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.
The statement revealed that the 22-year-old had to have surgery on his injury and he will now have to begin his recovery before his return.
Tanganga last Premier League appearance was in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in January and he has been absent ever since, alongside Oliver Skipp.(image: Getty Images)
Tanganga had been battling for a spot in Antonio Conte’s regular XI, playing in the back three and as a right wing-back and has made a total of 19 appearances this season.
Even though he hadn’t earned himself a secure place in Conte’s regular XI, he has helped with the issue of squad depth, by stepping in to help the Italian when he had to deal with various problems, including in the absence of the likes of Eric Dier and Cristian Romero and could be a big blow for Spurs in the coming weeks, if any further injuries do arise.
Conte’s top four confidence.
With just 10 matches left to play – including Sunday’s showdown with fellow top-four chasers West Ham – now is the time when they must find consistency if they’re to make a late dash for a Champions League qualifying spot.
Can they do it? Conte is confident.
“In this moment now I have great confidence,” he told Sky Sports.
“My feeling is good because I’m seeing great improvement.
“We are working very hard in these five months [that he’s been in charge] but now I’m starting to see great improvement of my team in many aspects: not only on the pitch but also outside, with the mentality.
“I think we’re preparing to have another step and it will be very important to finish the season in the best possible way to continue to give us the confidence and to continue to believe in the work we’re doing.”
Tottenham host fellow top-four hopefuls West Ham on Sunday, hoping to maintain their pursuit of Arteta’s side, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.