Conte was furious when their home fixture was postponed despite there being only a confirmed case of covid-19 in the Gunners squad
By Kehinde Okeowo
Spurs manager Antonio Conte has reminded Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta that January’s north London derby was called off at his instance after he said his team’s fixture was unfair.
The Gunners gaffer, who lost to Liverpool at the Emirates on Wednesday night, travel to Aston Villa on Saturday (1:30 WAT).
The 39-year-old manager criticised the Premier League for making his team play games at short intervals.
“Don’t worry on Saturday, the players will be there with energy. They will sleep, eat well. But thank you so much to the Premier League for putting the fixtures like this. Very, very helpful.” Arteta said sarcastically.
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Reacting to Arteta’s criticism, Conte took a swipe at him for labelling the fixture as unfair and reminded him about how he avoided playing his team in January despite having a fit enough squad.
“Arteta should remember the postponed game. Tottenham-Arsenal,” Conte said.
“I don’t forget this. And it’s not right to speak about fair or unfair.”
Spurs were unhappy when their home fixture against Arsenal was postponed despite there being only one confirmed case of coronavirus in the Gunners squad.
The episode led the Premier League to change the rules regarding fixture postponements.
Conte added, “In general, I think my answer is enough,”
“If someone wants to think about fair or unfair. We postponed the game, Tottenham-Arsenal.”
Tottenham host fellow top-four hopefuls West Ham United on Sunday, as they aim for a top-four spot.
They will also be hoping they can leapfrog their North London rivals, Arsenal, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.
Conte’s men are three points behind the Gunners, who have superior goal difference and a game in hand.
