Former Arsenal star Lauren has made a surprising admission: he wants Tottenham Hotspur to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season. His reasoning is purely so that his former club can continue to enjoy victories over their fierce North London rivals.
Tottenham's Dire Form and Relegation Threat
Tottenham's winless run extended over the weekend, leaving their Premier League status in serious jeopardy. They have not secured a single victory in the top flight throughout 2026, a dismal record that has plunged them into the relegation zone. Currently, they sit two points adrift of safety, facing the genuine prospect of dropping out of the Premier League for the first time in the competition's history.
Lauren's Derby Desire
Lauren, a member of Arsenal's legendary 2004 Invincibles squad, insists that as a fan of the Gunners, he always anticipates the North London Derby. He expressed concern that Tottenham's potential relegation would deprive Arsenal of this fixture. "As an Arsenal fan there is a game we want to see every single season and that is the North London Derby against Tottenham," Lauren told The Sun.
He elaborated, "It's good to be playing your biggest rivals every season. I don't think Tottenham going down would be good news for Arsenal fans or the Premier League in general. It's good to play them and beat them and I want that to continue."
Arsenal's Dominance Over Tottenham
Arsenal have thoroughly dominated Tottenham in recent encounters, which likely fuels Lauren's sentiment. This season alone, the Gunners have scored eight goals against their rivals, securing 4-1 victories both at home and away. Last season also saw Arsenal complete a double over Tottenham, making it a particularly sweet period for their supporters.
Lauren highlighted this dominance, noting his enjoyment at seeing Arsenal consistently pick up six points from these derby matches. He hopes Tottenham can mount a late-season charge to safety, ensuring the rivalry remains intact for the next campaign.
Managerial Changes and Continued Struggles
In a bid to salvage their season, Tottenham have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their third manager this term. The Italian has been handed a lucrative contract with the hope of inspiring a turnaround. However, his tenure has begun poorly, with only one point garnered from his first two games in charge.
This managerial instability has done little to alleviate the growing threat of relegation, making the prospect of a season in the Championship increasingly realistic for Spurs.
Arsenal's Own Title Race Concerns
While Tottenham battle relegation, Arsenal face their own challenges in the title race. The Gunners recently held a nine-point lead over Manchester City but have since lost successive games, allowing their rivals back into contention. Mikel Arteta now risks a fourth consecutive second-place finish, which has sparked some debate about his future.
Lauren, however, remains staunchly supportive of Arteta. "All the talk of Arteta being at risk and Arsenal winning no trophies needs to stop," he asserted. "I don't think that way, because I think Arsenal are going to win the Premier League. I'm positive, I am confident. Losing against Manchester City has not ended the race for the title. Manchester City weren't better – they aren't better – they just took their chances."
Despite the setbacks, Lauren's confidence in Arsenal's title prospects remains unshaken, even as he oddly roots for Tottenham's survival to preserve the derby drama he cherishes.
