Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has cranked up the pressure on Arsenal ahead of Wednesday night's north London derby by claiming that the Gunners' Barclays Premier League title challenge will be over if they lose at White Hart Lane.
Arsene Wenger's side will remain seven points behind league leaders Manchester United if Spurs inflict their first league double over their bitter local rivals in 18 years.
Redknapp claims that the Gunners must win every one of their remaining six matches to stand any chance of catching United, who have pulled clear of their rivals thanks to the poor recent form of Wenger's team. "Arsenal have to win all of their games now to win the title," Redknapp said.
"They will be hoping to win all their games and hope Man United slip up. That's all they can do. They had a couple of games at home they would have thought they should have won and they threw a great opportunity away after they only took a point at the weekend (against Liverpool).
"If they had taken those points, you look at where they would be with Man United to play at home - they would have been in pole position. It's amazing how it's turned out.''
Whilst admitting that the Gunners are on the ropes in their quest for their 14th league title, he did take time to hit out at the critics of his opposite number.
The influential Arsenal Supporters' Trust released a statement last week expressing their "considerable disappointment" with the club's continued struggle to land major honours, but Redknapp insists all the pressure on Wenger is unjust, despite his failure to land a trophy in six years.
"I don't understand how they can criticise him. They have had fantastic success and play great football," Redknapp said.
"He managed a team that went a whole season unbeaten. What an achievement that was. That was amazing to do that. He has won enough trophies at Arsenal already. He doesn't need another to have vindication, surely. His record stands up anyway."
Source: PA
