‘I will show them why I’m a world cup winner on Sunday’: Tottenham defender Romero makes North London Derby promise amid Spurs star’s Postecoglou verdict, promised to hold Ødegaard that day
Cristian Romero has warned Arsenal that Tottenham will be treating the North London Derby like a final this weekend. The 25-year-old defender has played a starring role in Ange Postecoglou’s side so far this season, helping the Lilywhites enjoy their best start to a English top-flight campaign since 1965.
Romero has featured five times for Spurs in the Premier League this term, scoring two goals. His impressive performances have led Tottenham to second-place behind only Manchester City, who sit top of the table with 15 points.
With only a three goal difference separating Spurs and Arsenal, the Gunners will be desperate to leapfrog their rivals when they welcome them to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. However, turning over the Lilywhites will be no mean feat – especially with Romero treating every game like a final.
In an interview with Optus Sport, the Argentina international said: “We are treating every game as if it was a final. First up we have Arsenal, and we’re treating it as a final, not just because it’s a derby but because that’s how we want to approach games this season.”
Last year, Romero helped his country win the World Cup and the defender is hoping to instil a similar togetherness among the Tottenham squad. He said: “It’s a clear example to follow… I can see that the manager here wants to create a family and we’re on the right track.
“Of course, it’s a lot harder to create that in a club, with loads of different nationalities, but Tottenham have a good group of players to make it happen.”
Romero is no stranger to a feisty affair and the red mist is expected to descend when Spurs lock horns with Arsenal. While speaking to Optus Sport, the North London Derby was compared to a derby in his hometown, Cordoba in central Argentina, between Belgrano and Talleres.
“Belgrano is the team that gave me everything and yes, in that fixture emotions can get a little frayed,” he said before aiming a subtle dig at the Gunners. “But here… it’s a top-class derby against a side, who after Manchester City, are the second-best team [in the Premier League].”
While Arsenal head into the clash off the back of a rampant 4-0 win over PSV in the Champions League, Tottenham are still expected to bombard the Gunners with attacks on goal. Before Postecoglou was in the dugout, many would have predicted Spurs to sit behind the ball and invite pressure.
“I think the club needed this kind of manager who fits perfectly with the history of the club,” said Romero on Postecoglou. “He’s a good person. All his coaching staff are good people, who work 24 hours a day for us. And he’s got his objectives clear. He wants to achieve things.”
