Tottenham Hotspur, in contention for a Champions League berth, will be determined to hinder Arsenal’s quest for the English Premier League (EPL) title when they meet on Sunday.
Postecoglou’s team cannot risk defeat against their fierce adversaries at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they strive to remain in the Champions League qualification race.
Tottenham, currently occupying fifth place, trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by six points. However, Aston Villa has the opportunity to widen this gap to nine points if they defeat struggling Chelsea on Saturday.
Tottenham will have three games to catch up on Aston Villa by the time they face Arsenal. However, Postecoglou understands that securing victories is essential in the race for a top-four finish.
With this mindset, the Australian coach is not planning to adopt a defensive strategy for the derby, despite Arsenal’s impressive attacking display in their recent 5-0 win over Chelsea.
“It’s crucial to embrace the challenge and approach it in the same manner that has brought us success so far,” Postecoglou explained to reporters on Friday.
“Despite the ups and downs we’ve faced this season, we’ve had a clear style of play that has worked well for us. As we enter the most crucial phase of the season, it’s important to remain true to our identity and not deviate from our approach.
“We need to stick to our football philosophy and focus on executing our game plan. This will be a true test for us and will help us gauge our strengths and weaknesses as we strive to achieve success.”
Arsenal currently hold a one-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, although Mikel Arteta’s team has played one game more than City.
Postecoglou is aware that a victory for Tottenham this weekend would deal a significant blow to Arsenal’s aspirations of winning the title for the first time in two decades.
“We recognize the significance of playing at home in such matches and the importance of not allowing our greatest rival to emerge victorious in our biggest derby,” he stated.
“We comprehend the repercussions of such an outcome. I won’t dictate our fans’ sentiments or what they consider crucial.”
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