They are the fiercest of rivals, yet this weekend some Tottenham fans might find themselves secretly hoping for an Arsenal victory that boosts the Gunners’ Premier League title ambitions.
Before relegation-threatened Spurs host Leeds United on Monday (20:00 BST), league leaders Arsenal face struggling West Ham in a crucial London derby on Sunday (16:30 kick-off). The dilemma for Tottenham supporters: do they want an Arsenal win, which would improve Spurs’ survival chances while pushing their north London neighbors closer to their first league title since 2004? Or do they prefer a West Ham victory, which damages Arsenal’s title hopes but could drop Spurs back into the relegation zone before their Leeds clash?
It’s a nightmare scenario for Tottenham’s fanbase.
“One of my Spurs mates said they would be cheering on Arsenal,” Tottenham fan Ali Speechly told BBC Sport. “I was like: ‘What are you even saying!’ Spurs fans are split over it. Personally, I wouldn’t go as far to cheer on Arsenal. I couldn’t bring myself to do that.”
Spurs enter the weekend with their Premier League fate back in their own hands after back-to-back away wins at Wolves and Aston Villa. With three matches remaining, last season’s Europa League winners sit 17th on 37 points, just one point ahead of 18th-placed West Ham.
If both Arsenal and Spurs win, West Ham would be four points from safety with two games left, while Mikel Arteta’s Gunners—if nearest rivals Manchester City beat Brentford at Etihad Stadium on Saturday (17:30 BST)—would need only five points from their final two matches to secure the title.
So, who do other Tottenham supporters want to see triumph at London Stadium?
Unlike fellow fan Speechly, Bardi from The Extra Inch Spurs podcast said he can accept an Arsenal victory. “Right now, survival has to come first,” he explained. “This is our priority. Safety is more important than banter, but you won’t see me crying if they draw 5-5 with Jarrod Bowen scoring twice in added time.”
Spurs have made two managerial changes since they last won a Premier League match in front of their home fans. After beating Brentford 2-0 on 6 December, Spurs managed only three points—all draws—from a possible 27 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under Thomas Frank, Igor Tudor, and now Roberto de Zerbi.
Following Monday’s penultimate home game, Spurs travel to Chelsea on 17 May before concluding a dreadful season back home against Everton on 24 May.
“If we win our last three games then it doesn’t matter what West Ham do,” added Speechly from Women of the Lane. “But asking Spurs fans to feel confident in their team right now is a big ask. It’s emotional gymnastics because a lot of Spurs fans had come to terms with the fact that relegation was going to happen. Now De Zerbi has come in and fans are like ‘actually, we might survive’.”
Two seasons ago, Spurs missed out on a Champions League place after losing their final home game 2-0 to Manchester City, who went on to pip Arsenal to the Premier League title.
“Life has a funny way of testing Spurs fans,” Bardi added. “Many of us were happy to sacrifice Champions League qualification if it meant stopping Arsenal winning the league. That decision ultimately led to our great night in Bilbao 12 months later. This time, though, the stakes feel very different. Our problems are far deeper, and survival is the only thing that matters now.”
