Do You Want To Lose?
When a Rival’s Failure is Sweeter than Your Own Success
T. G. George
ON THE 15TH OF MAY, Tottenham Hotspurs played Manchester City at home. The result fans were hoping for? Defeat.
Let’s paint the picture and see what outcome you would desire.
As the table stood, Manchester City were on 85 points with a game in hand on league leaders Arsenal, with 85 points.
If you are unaware, Tottenham and Arsenal have a ferocious rivalry, being the two top sides in North London. Their stadiums are only separated by 6.4 kilometres. That is about a 20 minute jog for Lachy Brown.
Arsenal and Tottenham players having a scrap
In recent years, Arsenal have had the edge over Tottenham. Some Arsenal fans have even gone as far as to claim that London is red (it’s blue). Nonetheless, Arsenal have finished above Tottenham in the last two seasons. Prior to that, it had been six years of bragging rights for the Spurs. However, Tottenham have not won a major trophy since 2008, when they won the League Cup.
Tottenham Trophy Cabinet
Arsenal hasn’t accumulated much silverware to flaunt over the years. Since 2004, their major triumphs have been limited to the FA Cup, which they’ve won five times. That particular year holds significance as it marks the last time Arsenal clinched the Premier League title. Many regard that squad as the epitome of Premier League greatness, famously dubbed the “Invincibles” for their unbeaten run throughout the season. Featuring legendary players like Henry, Bergkamp, Pires, Vieira, Cole, and Campbell, this team seemed invincible, and even two decades later, Arsenal fans still hold onto those memories dearly. Last year, Arsenal fans could almost taste Premier League glory once again, spending 248 days at the top of the Premier League table. No team in English top-flight football has ever led the league for so long without winning the whole thing, much to the delight of the Tottenham fans.
This year, Arsenal have been neck and neck with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table. After 31 game weeks, Arsenal held the advantage in the title race, tied on 71 points with Liverpool (ahead on GD), while Manchester City sat on 70 points. However, in game week 33, the Gunners lost 2-0 to Aston Villa in a game where they had the majority of shots and possession.
L to R: Guardiola, Klopp, Arteta
Since then, both Arsenal and Manchester City have been perfect, with the seemingly deciding fixture being Tottenham vs Manchester City. The only potential twist in the title race, as Manchester City had not won a Premier League away game against Tottenham since 2018.
However, with a Champions League spot on the line, and genuine prospects of victory, there were cheers heard around the ground… in favour of the away side.
Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, was furious even before the game. “If you go by social media there’s probably 99 percent of Spurs supporters who don’t (want Spurs to win against City).”
He went on to say, “I understand rivalry. But I have never, and will never, understand someone wanting their own team to lose.”
Following the game, Postecoglou went as far as to attack the very foundations of the club stating, “I know what’s important to build a winning team, that’s what I need to concentrate on.”
Big Ange
Perhaps that is what is holding Tottenham back. The mentality that they are happy to fail, if it means their rivals do not succeed.
So, what would you do? Would you cheer against your own team?