Martin Keown has compared Tottenham duo Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Rodrigo Bentancur to some infamous East London gangsters.
The Arsenal legend shared his thoughts on the Spurs ahead of Saturday’s crucial North London derby, where the front-runners host their undefeated, fierce rivals.
Hojbjerg has started and played 90 minutes in all Spurs Premier League matches this season, with Antonio Contea‘s side wins five and draws two.
Fellow midfielder Bentancur, who scored and assisted against Leicester City last week, six of those seven games started and only missed the draw with West Ham due to a head injury, with Tottenham now third in the league.
Keown thinks the Spurs duo were “like the Kray twins” – a bunch of East End mobsters known for their organized crime in London from the late 1950s to 1967.
Asked about the importance of aggression in the North London derby and whether Arsenal players were ‘too nice’, Keown said: ‘You could say Tottenham’s two midfielders are just like the Kray twins.
“The way they walk around the field, their tackles, if you look at the… [Bentancur] They scored a goal against Leicester when they stole the ball.
“I think Hojbjerg is hugely underestimated. The manager thinks he needs those enforcers in that area.
“You could say Arsenal are more artistic and creative. But you also have to be tough. I think that comes from their defenders.
“I think William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are tough men, they are building a reputation.”
Both Arsenal and Tottenham have had a strong start to the season, but Keown believes Conte’s side have a head start on their way to the North London derby.
“I think Arsenal are just behind Spurs,” he added. ‘That’s motivation’ [for them].
“The front three for Tottenham… I mean, if Richarlison is in the Brazilian team but can’t get into the Spurs team, that shows how good he is.
“There are four players to choose from. It’s the strongest Tottenham squad I’ve seen in years.
“I think they’ll be kicking themselves if they don’t win a single trophy this season.
“I don’t think they can win the Premier League. It’s not completely out of their hands, but [Manchester City’s] Erling Haaland should dry up in front of goal and I don’t see that happening.’
Watch Arsenal v Spurs live on BT Sport 1 from 11:30am on Saturday 1st October. For more info, visit btsport.com
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