Arsenal: Petr Cech lays down the law for noisy neighbours

Petr Cech has stated that Tottenham Hotspur must win a trophy to prove their progression. He is laying down the law for Arsenal’s noisy neighbours.

The first North London derby of the season is here. As is ever the case with such an event, the inevitable comparisons between the two clubs are made. They are especially significant this year, though, because of the apparent overtaking of Arsenal that Tottenham Hotspur, under Mauricio Pochettino, have manoeuvred.

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It is a stance that has been pushed by the national media, with many proclaiming Spurs’ prospective dominance of the rivalry given the cluster of young, developing players at the hands of a wonderfully detailed and deliberate manager.

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It is an argument that does carry some credence. Spurs have amassed more Premier League points in the last two full seasons than any other team in the country, they are perhaps the closest challengers again this season, currently lying in third, level on points with Manchester United in second, and are buoyed by a series of remarkable Champions League outings, including wins against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.

But the progression that Spurs have made under Pochettino, and they certainly have made much progression, has not led to trophies. And, ultimately, that is what this sport is about. Trophies. In the three full seasons that Pochettino has had at White Hart Lane, Arsenal have won two FA Cups — they also won an FA Cup the year before Pochettino arrived –, as well as two Community Shields, for whatever they’re worth. That is a point that Petr Cech, when asked about Spurs’ development, is keen to make:

"“They’ve been there in the last few years so now I think they have to make sure they win something to show the progression. Success is ultimately winning trophies. We were under pressure the last couple of years, people talking about winning trophies, obviously, we are disappointed not to have won the title but we won FA Cups. Although the season was not always what we wanted, we always had a trophy at the end of it.”"

And he would be right. Talented players, attractive football, new stadia. They mean nothing without trophies, as Arsenal know all too well. They had a painful nine-year span where that was irrefutably the case.

This is not to deny the impact that Pochettino has had on Spurs. They are, currently, the better team. They have the better players. They are making the better progress. They are building the better groundwork for success in the future. But they do not have more trophies. In fact, they have no trophies — their last trophy was a 2008 League Cup win, and until Spurs are able to win one, they will always be seen as the underachievers, the under-deliverers.

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Cech has laid down the law for the noisy neighbours. They certainly have the capabilities to fulfil it. And with Pochettino at the helm, I would be hesitant to bet against them. But, for now, they have not. Trophies are the be all and end all, and Spurs haven’t won any. Yet.