Tottenham Hotspur’s former manager Mauricio Pochettino has once again found himself speaking about the Premier League title race, and his latest comments have sparked new excitement and debate across England. It was during a recent talkSPORT interview that the Argentine tactician, who once guided Spurs to the Champions League final, spoke with deep admiration about Arsenal and the work Mikel Arteta has done this season. Pochettino, now observing from a distance, couldn’t help but praise the Gunners for their consistency, structure, and their rise as the most complete team in England right now.
It was a calm and thoughtful analysis from Pochettino, but behind his words, there was a sense of both admiration and challenge—a recognition that Arsenal are setting the standard, but also a message to his old club Tottenham that the gap can still be closed. The Premier League this season has been unpredictable. Every team seems capable of beating anyone, yet Arsenal have found a level of regularity that has made them the side to beat. Tottenham, meanwhile, have had flashes of brilliance, moments that showed promise and potential, but not enough consistency to make them serious contenders just yet.
At this point in the campaign, Arsenal sit comfortably at the top, eight points ahead of their North London rivals. Tottenham are not entirely out of the picture, though—they are just two points behind second place, which shows how competitive and strange this season has been. But as Pochettino pointed out, consistency is what defines champions, and right now, that belongs to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
When asked about Tottenham’s chances of fighting back into the title race, Pochettino didn’t hesitate to tell the truth. “It’s very open,” he said. “I think the most solid team today about result and performance is Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is doing an amazing job and is the most regular and solid team so far, but it’s really open. You can see the table, you can see different teams that are fighting for the top four. It’s very, very open. It’s a question mark. We’ll see how the evolution is in the Premier League, but everything is open.”
Those words, though diplomatic, carried weight. They showed how even the most experienced football minds in England are beginning to accept that Arsenal have reached a new level of maturity. The team that once struggled for identity after Arsène Wenger’s departure now has a clear structure, a fighting spirit, and a tactical understanding that puts them ahead of their rivals.
For Pochettino, who has seen Tottenham rise and fall, it’s a mix of pride and pain. He was the man who once built Spurs into one of England’s most exciting sides. He gave them an identity, a hunger to compete with the best, and took them to heights the club hadn’t seen in decades. Yet, watching from afar, he knows the truth—Arsenal have gone one step further under Arteta. They have turned potential into dominance.
Tottenham, however, are not without hope. Under Thomas Frank, who has quickly earned the respect of fans and pundits alike, there’s a new energy around the club. The players are fighting for each other, and the team looks united. The results haven’t always been perfect, but there’s a clear sense that Spurs are building something. Frank’s leadership, calm but commanding, has brought back belief among supporters who had lost faith after turbulent seasons.
Still, the road to catching Arsenal is long and difficult. The gap might be eight points, but mentally and structurally, the distance could feel even wider. Arsenal’s players know exactly what to do when things get tough. Their midfield is balanced, their attack is fluid, and their defense has become one of the strongest in Europe. In contrast, Tottenham are still finding their rhythm, still figuring out their best combinations, and still learning how to handle pressure in big moments.
Jamie O’Hara, the former Spurs player turned pundit, recently sparked debate when he compared Tottenham’s center-backs to Arsenal’s. Speaking on Sky Sports, O’Hara claimed that individually, Spurs defenders are just as good—if not better—than Arsenal’s highly praised duo of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba. “Arsenal defensively are incredible as a unit,” O’Hara admitted. “Spurs are not. But the two center-halves are absolutely fantastic. If you were going to take two of them out and put two of them in, I think Van de Ven has more about him than Gabriel. I think Romero is on par with Saliba. There is not a center-half in the world that can do what Van de Ven did last night—Gabriel cannot score that goal. They are all world-class, but I think Arsenal are better defensively as a unit.”
His comments echo a larger point about the difference between the two clubs right now. Tottenham might have talented individuals, but Arsenal have a system that brings out the best in everyone. Arteta has created a culture where players understand their roles perfectly. Even when injuries happen, or players are rotated, the level doesn’t drop. That depth and balance are what separates title contenders from hopeful challengers.
Tottenham’s biggest challenge is finding that same identity. They have strong pieces—Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, James Maddison, and Son Heung-min—but they haven’t yet blended into a seamless machine. Frank is working tirelessly to make that happen, and his efforts have been visible. Spurs play exciting football, they create chances, and they never give up. But the fine margins between winning titles and just competing for top four come down to details—defensive organization, mental strength, and consistency.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have turned those details into their foundation. Their backline, led by Saliba and Gabriel, has become a wall. Declan Rice, in midfield, adds control and power. Martin Ødegaard, their captain, dictates games with his intelligence and calmness. And with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli stretching defenses, Arsenal attack with both beauty and efficiency. Every movement looks rehearsed, every pass has purpose. It’s the result of years of patient rebuilding under Arteta, who has transformed doubt into dominance.
Pochettino’s words about Arsenal being “the most solid” are not just compliments—they are a statement of truth from someone who understands how hard it is to reach that level. He knows what it takes to challenge for titles in England, and he can see that Arsenal now have all the pieces in place.
Still, Pochettino hasn’t written off his former side. He believes the Premier League’s unpredictable nature means anything is possible. He’s seen too many twists in football to rule anyone out. If Spurs can go on a strong unbeaten run, if key players stay fit, and if Frank can get a little more consistency from his squad, then the gap could narrow. Football is full of surprises, and Pochettino knows better than most that belief can turn into miracles.
Behind the rivalry and the comparisons, there’s also respect. Both North London clubs are doing well in their own way, pushing each other to higher levels. The city feels alive again with football passion, with Arsenal and Spurs fighting not just for pride but for power. The derby has taken on new meaning—it’s not just about bragging rights anymore; it’s about two giants competing to define a new era.
Pochettino’s comments might have been simple, but they carried echoes of the larger story of English football. It’s about evolution, about who learns faster, who adapts better, and who refuses to give up. Arsenal have built a team ready to challenge for years, while Spurs are trying to prove they belong in that same conversation. The next few months will show whether Tottenham can turn potential into reality, or whether Arsenal will continue to march ahead and finally claim the crown they’ve been chasing since the Invincibles era.
For now, Pochettino’s words hang in the air—half praise, half challenge. The Premier League is still open, but the difference between “open” and “winnable” lies in consistency. And as it stands, Arsenal are writing the story, while everyone else is trying to catch up.
For Tottenham, every game from now on will matter. Every point will count. The fans believe, the players are motivated, and the dream is alive. But to make that dream real, they’ll need more than talent—they’ll need the discipline and drive that has made Arsenal unstoppable.
Pochettino, once the architect of Tottenham’s rise, now watches from afar as his old club fights to rediscover their magic. His admiration for Arsenal might sting some Spurs fans, but in truth, it’s the honesty of a man who understands football deeply. He sees where excellence lies, and he knows what it takes to get there. And as the season unfolds, his words will serve as both a warning and an inspiration—because in this unpredictable league, nothing is ever finished until the final whistle
