Gunners legend admits Spurs are ‘stiff competition’.
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Arsenal legend Tony Adams admits he fears for his old side in their north London derby match against Tottenham this weekend, according to Sky Sports News.
Adams spent his entire playing career with Arsenal and captained the side to four league titles in more successful times for the Gunners, who have now gone over eight years without winning a trophy.
In recent seasons, rivals Tottenham have closed the gap on Arsenal, and have strengthened significantly in the transfer window this summer, spending £90million on players with the promise of further signings to come.
Although Spurs look certain to lose star player Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, Adams believes there is plenty of quality in Andre Villas-Boas’ side, and is tipping midfielder Moussa Dembele to be a danger to his old side this weekend.
“I think they’ve closed the gap, Tottenham, for sure,” he said. “They’re definitely stiff opposition.
“Arsenal? My criticism of them over the last few years is they’ve been too open, so susceptible to the counter-attack. Tottenham can do that, can really hurt them.
“Dembele, I saw him when he was a kid at Willem II in Holland. He can pick up the ball and hurt them – Benteke did it for Aston Villa.
“Dembele sits in the hole – has the midfielder got him? Has the defender got him? He can sit in that hole and really hurt Arsenal on the counter-attack, so I’m very worried.”
Arsenal have beaten Tottenham 5-2 on the last two derbies at the Emirates Stadium, though Spurs won the most recent encounter, coming out 2-1 winners at White Hart Lane in the Premier League in March.