Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has responded to criticism from Arsenal fans over Spurs’ early lap of appreciation against Burnley on Saturday.
Arsenal supporters are paranoid their north London rivals will purposely lose to Manchester City on Tuesday to put a dent in the Gunners’ top-flight title hopes.
Those rumours only increased when Spurs decided to hold their traditional end-of-season lap of appreciation on Saturday in their penultimate home game.
The lap of appreciation usually occurs at the last home game of the season – with Arsenal fans worried Spurs have already mentally checked out before the City clash – to ensure that Pep Guardiola’s side beat the Gunners to the league title.
Postecoglou was been asked about the early lap of appreciation ahead of Spurs’ showdown with City and said: ‘You can look at these things two ways, and it is important you acknowledge the fans.
‘We have a game tomorrow, but it is a late game, so we thought it was better to do that at the weekend as they have been stuck behind us from day one [and they] appreciate what we are trying to do.
‘A lot of our home games have been exciting victories and our supporters have helped. It was a chance to say thanks to them for their support this season.
‘The families make the massive sacrifices during the season and it gives them the little bit of acknowledgement that they more than deserve.
‘I often say to the players, ‘When all is said and done, the fans might move on to new heroes and you guys will not be talking about them, people won’t call them up as much, but their families will be there after their career finishes’.
‘So it is important that you appreciate them while you are in your career. It was a nice moment. I was not out there celebrating anything. That will come, that is the plan.
‘But at the same time you should take a moment to be thankful, for me that is important in that moment, the club I am at, the supporters who are supporting me and family who allow me to do what I want.’
According to a Sky Sports poll, 55 per cent of Spurs fans want their team to lose to City in order to stop Arsenal from winning the Premier League title.
Meanwhile, Arsenal star Kai Havertz says he will become the ‘biggest Tottenham fan ever’ on Tuesday night.
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