Arsenal were linked with a move for former Nottingham Forest loanee and Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence before he instead moved to Tottenham in the summer. However, he has played just one minute of football in the senior Spurs side all season.
Considering the rather comedic performances of Emerson Royal and the reluctance from Antonio Conte to play Matt Doherty, it has made many fans both inside and outside of Spurs question why Spence isn’t being given the chance. Arsenal however have been delighted with the performances of Ben White in what was an unorthodox position at right-back, although he could hardly be described in that sense now.
Whilst the performances of White have vindicated the decision not to sign a right-back such as Spence this summer, Conte himself has provided a further explanation, although indirectly, of why Arsenal were right not to sign the 22-year-old. Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash with Frankfurt football.london asked the Italian about Spence’s absence.
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“The fans have to be fans. The fans is the fans, I understand they can think everything but I see every day what happens during the training session.
“I try to do the best for the team. If they trust me, then they trust me, but the choices are mine.
“If I didn't decide to pick one player it's maybe because he's not ready. We are talking about a young player with a good prospect, but I repeat I try to pick the best team.”
He went further regarding Doherty. Even going as far as to say he isn’t ‘stupid’ and didn’t ‘want to lose’ regarding questions to use Spence or Doherty.
“Also, Doherty last season played every game. Now I’m not seeing him in the right way to start the game.
“I'm not stupid, I don't want to lose. I try to put the best team, to pick the best team. If they trust me, it's ok, if they don't trust me then I'm the coach and I need to take the best decision for Tottenham.”
Frosty. And from an Arsenal perspective, it is personally great to see what a North London Derby defeat is doing to our North London rivals.
With Emerson suspended for three Premier League games it’d make sense that the Brazilian will persist in Europe. However, if after these comments about Doherty, were Spence not to start, it would be quite the statement and further validation to Arsenal’s decision not to pursue the player.
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