Paul Merson has labeled Tottenham as a “one-man team” as they hunt down Arsenal in a race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
After suffering with bouts of inconsistency during the early part of Antonio Conte’s tenure, Spurs appear to have turned a corner and have now won five of their past six Premier League outings.
Such impressive form, coupled with Arsenal’s loss to Crystal Palace on Monday night, has blown the battle for the top four wide open with a north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium still to come.
Currently, the two sides sit level on points in fourth and fifth respectively. Arsenal, however, have a game in hand.
As impressively as new signings Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski have bedded in under Conte, Merson believes it is the form and fitness of Harry Kane that will decide Spurs’ chances.
Following a slow start to the season, the England captain looks back to his best as both a goalscorer and a playmaker in equal measure once more.
“You take Kane out of the team, top four ain’t happening for Spurs,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“It’s as simple as that. When he doesn’t turn up at Burnley away, they get beaten. Tottenham are a one-man team and that’s not being disrespectful.
“You could have a Ferrari, but without an engine in the car it ain’t working. He’s the all-round package, and that’s why he’s the best centre-forward in the world, and I’ve said it for a long, long time.”
