Paul Merson has telling response to Arsenal or Spurs 'better season' question
Paul Merson has confessed that it is "all about winning trophies" as he was asked to determine who'd had the better season, Tottenham or Arsenal in light of the Europa League final. Those on the white side of north London are currently basking in European glory.
They downed Manchester United in Bilbao, ending a 17-year trophy drought in the process. Their European form has covered for an horrendous Premier League season, which has them down in 17th. However the capture of a trophy has changed the narrative.
Arsenal meanwhile, who completed a league double over Tottenham, have finished second and reached the last four of the Champions League. However their wait for silverware, which goes back to 2020, has rolled over after they fell short again.
Mikel Arteta's side struggled to mount a genuine title charge and the Spaniard is coming under increasing pressure to deliver given the investment he's had in his squad. Tottenham are currently enjoying some bragging rights following the Europa League final.
And now Merson has suggested that landing a trophy means that those in white may be able to boast about having the better year despite Arsenal sitting 15 places and 33 points ahead of their neighbours.
He told Sky Sports: "Who's the best Messi or Ronaldo? Split it down the middle. For me it is all about winning trophies, I played to win trophies. I was in teams to win trophies, not come second, third or fourth. When you're at top clubs are you're not winning trophies it becomes a disappointment. Split everybody down the middle.
"They had a great week Tottenham, but Arsenal have had a good season, getting to the semi-finals and finishing second but they haven't won anything. For me, it is all about winning."
Arteta, who congratulated Tottenham on their success, was quizzed on whether their local rivals had enjoyed a better year, but refused to be drawn on such comparisons. "I don't like to compare with other teams," he said. "I need to analyse my team - that's my job".
The Arsenal boss has recently had to defend the lack of silverware that's arrived at the Emirates. Their last trophy was the FA Cup. Their last Premier League triumph was 2004. But Arteta has said: "Winning trophies as well is about being in the right moment, in the right place."
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