Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham will ‘have a crack’ at Manchester City despite the fact a positive result against Pep Guardiola’s side could hand Arsenal the Premier League title.
Man City are two wins away from a record fourth successive Premier League title after they thumped Fulham 4-0 on Saturday afternoon to move above Arsenal at the top of the table.
The Gunners will return to the summit if they beat Manchester United on Sunday, but the title remains in City’s hands as they have a game in hand – against Tottenham on Tuesday night – before the final day of the season.
Spurs fans have mixed feelings ahead of the Man City clash as while a win would keep their Champions League hopes alive following Saturday’s victory over relegated Burnley, it would also give Arsenal a huge boost in the title race.
If City drop points at Tottenham and Arsenal win their remaining two games – against United and Everton – Mikel Arteta will likely get his hands on the Premier League trophy due to their superior goal difference.
Looking ahead to Spurs’ penultimate game of the season, Postecoglou said:’We’ve still got six points to play for, that’s the key thing for us.
‘We’ve got a big game on Tuesday night against Man City, that’ll be a great test for us. Then we’ve got Sheffield United away so let’s see where we can get to and where we end up playing our football.’
Asked if he believes Spurs have what it takes to defeat the reigning Premier League champions, Postecoglou added: ‘I think we’ve got what it takes to make a game of it and play our football and see where it takes us.
‘They’re an outstanding them. Them and Arsenal are the benchmark [in the Premier League] right now, they’re 20-odd points ahead of us so we’ve got some ground to make up.
‘But it’s at our place, it’s 95 minutes of football and we’re going to have a crack.’
Spurs have largely impressed in Postecoglou’s first season in the Premier League, though four successive defeats prior to the Burnley win may cost them a place in the Champions League.
Tottenham are four points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa ahead of their final two games against Man City and relegated Sheffield United. Villa, meanwhile, face Liverpool on Monday and Crystal Palace on the final day.
‘For us this was always going to be a year of building and it always unlikely we would get through it unscathed [with injuries],’ Postecoglou said.
‘We’ve stayed competitive in the league and always tried to play our football. We’ve got two games to go and we want to finish strong.’
Asked about his hopes of making the top four, the Australian added: ‘It’s about being the best we can be.
‘Irrespective of where we finish it is important that we strengthen in the off season and I know the players who have been through this year will come back strongly.’
Tottenham trailed Burnley following Jacob Bruun Larsen’s first-half opener but equalised through Pedro Porro before Micky van de Ven scored an 82nd-minute winner to send Burnley down.
On the impact of Dutch defender Van de Ven, Postecoglou added: ‘He’s not a bad player is he? He’s outstanding and that’s the exciting thing for me – it is his first year in Premier League football.
‘Same with Destiny [Udogie], Pape Sarr and [Guglielmo] Vicario, too. We have so much growth in this team and Micky is at the forefront of that.
‘I can’t think of too many players who have made such an impact in their first year of Premier League football, and knowing he only really had one year in the Bundesliga. It’s not like he’s a seasoned professional.
‘He has had a few injury problems but when he’s played he has been outstanding.’
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