Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he's chasing a REAL trophy like the Premier League as he takes a dig at Arsenal's FA Cup wins

  • Tottenham take on bitter local rivals Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday 
  • Spurs haven't won a trophy since 2008, while Arsenal have three since 2014
  • Pochettino insisted he would not swap his side's progress for Arsenal's Cup wins
  • He said he wants a 'real' trophy, like the Premier League or Champions League

Derby day never fails to stir the past. Epic battles and classic encounters, disputes about the best teams and best players or the eternal debate over the merits of style and substance.

Arsenal have spent the days building up for Tottenham by basking in memories of their title win of 1989, a film made in its honour and memories of days when their mastery of north London was not in question.

A few miles down the road, a trio of Spurs legends were addressing the club's academy players and discussing an exciting future over lunch with Mauricio Pochettino.

Mauricio Pochettino took a dig at Arsenal's FA Cup wins by saying Spurs want a 'real' trophy

Mauricio Pochettino took a dig at Arsenal's FA Cup wins by saying Spurs want a 'real' trophy

'Who better to translate how Tottenham was, is and can be?' said Pochettino after his date with Glenn Hoddle, Steve Perryman and Graham Roberts.


'It is important to show respect to the legends who built the history at this great club and I believe they can help me. They are part of our history and our present, too.

'It is important to know how they feel, how the fans feel about the philosophy and identity of the club. We want to build something special but keep the identity.'

Perryman made a record 866 appearances for Tottenham and won the FA Cup twice, the League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup twice. Hoddle and Roberts won the FA Cup twice and the UEFA Cup.

Spurs were a 'cup team' but Pochettino has his sights set on bigger prizes. Arsenal have won the title six times since Tottenham last did it in 1961.

And yet Pochettino would not, he insisted, swap Arsenal's three FA Cup wins in four years for his own signs of progress — breaking into the Champions League and finishing above the neighbours for the first time in 22 years.

'No, because Arsenal are in another stage of their project,' said Tottenham's boss.

'I don't care where they are, after three and a half years we have achieved a lot. I would like to achieve more, to be first and not second and to win cups. I admire what Arsene Wenger did at Arsenal, but we are in a different process.

'If we can win the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup, fantastic, but the principal option is to win the Premier League and put Tottenham in a position to win the Champions League.

'The Premier League and the Champions League are massive challenges for big clubs. This type of trophy are the real trophies.'

Arsenal have lifted the FA Cup three times since 2014, while Spurs's last trophy came in 2008

Arsenal have lifted the FA Cup three times since 2014, while Spurs's last trophy came in 2008

Spurs are yet to win at the Emirates Stadium under Pochettino. In fact, it is nearly seven years since they won at Arsenal and their last three visits have ended 1-1. It is another barrier to break down as Spurs develop.

'Of course it is important,' said Pochettino. 'It was the same question before Real Madrid. It was important to win at the Bernabeu and, OK, we drew.

'It was important to beat Liverpool because we never beat Liverpool and then to beat Real Madrid and again Crystal Palace and Arsenal. It is a massive game for us but we must assess the team over a long period. We have a team to compete with Real Madrid.

'For us it is an important game, a derby and more than three points. But it is important to keep doing well in a long process, to improve every game.

'And to say we can win not only cups but the Premier League and Champions League. That is pressure we are building.'

Naturally, the Arsenal rivalry came up in conversation with Perryman, Hoddle and Roberts.

'We had a very good conversation about whether it is more painful to lose against one opponent rather than another,' said Pochettino. 'For me, it is frustrating whenever you don't win. I don't like to lose. I want to win every game.'

This used to be the language from the Arsenal camp. When they were duelling with Manchester United, in Arsene Wenger's early years, they liked to dismiss the derby as just another game.

Now, with the title a fading dream for Wenger, Arsenal would take great pleasure from scuppering Pochettino's progress.

But Pochettino, who oversaw a win over Real Madrid this month, is not jealous of the Gunners

But Pochettino, who oversaw a win over Real Madrid this month, is not jealous of the Gunners

HARRY CHASING DERBY HISTORY 

 Harry Kane has a fine record in the derby

 Harry Kane has a fine record in the derby

Tottenham forward Harry Kane has scored six goals in Premier League North London derbies, finding the net in all five of his appearances in the fixture so far.

Only former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires — with seven — and striker Emmanuel Adebayor — who netted eight in spells for either side — have scored more.

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