Pochettino focused on next Tottenham game – not Arsenal jinx

Mauricio Pochettino says his Tottenham side are simply focused on winning their next game, rather than finishing above rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

Spurs last ended the league campaign above Arsenal in 1995, with Pochettino’s men missing a huge opportunity to end that run last season as they were thrashed 5-1 at relegated Newcastle United on the final day.

Tottenham, in second, are now seven points clear of their sixth-placed rivals after beating Southampton 2-1 on Sunday, but the manager brushed off talk of Arsenal.

“[The rivalry with Arsenal] creates speculation for the media, but the aim for us is always to win the next game,” Pochettino told Sky Sports.

“The aim is the next game. It’s difficult because there’s 10 days without our players on the international break, but we hope all will come back in good condition.”

…and breathe. #COYS pic.twitter.com/pC1SbBOqNE

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 19, 2017

And Pochettino believes Spurs were good value for their victory over Southampton, with Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli netting in the first half.

“To get the three points, you always have to work hard,” he said. “Southampton are a very good team with very good players and it was difficult, but in the end I think we deserved the victory.”

Visiting manager Claude Puel disagreed, however, insisting Southampton merited a point at White Hart Lane.

“It is a disappointment, because a draw would have been normal for me,” he said. “It was a strange game, a strange first half – we conceded two goals without coming under pressure. We didn’t have a lot of opportunities, but neither did Tottenham.

“It’s frustrating because we can do better, but we played a strong game against second in the table and played at a good level.”