Wenger lists four things Tottenham are lacking as he gives damning verdict on Conte’s men

Joe Williams
Arsene Wenger speaks about Tottenham

Arsene Wenger insists Tottenham are lacking a number of qualities to make them a successful side after watching them lose 1-0 to AC Milan on Tuesday,

Braham Diaz scored the only goal of the game as Spurs were defeated in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 match at the San Siro.

That dispiriting loss came off the back of Leicester thumping them 4-1 at the weekend in the Premier League and Wenger is surprised they don’t have “enough top quality players” after spending well in recent years.

“I don’t question the commitment of Conte because he has been in England, he has gone to Italy and come back to England. He is professional and he is committed,” Wenger told beIN Sport.

“Tottenham for me, is a team that is not convincing, they have not enough top quality players.

“They have invested a lot of money but Tottenham in the Premier League has lost eight games in 23. They have just come out of a defeat to Leicester, 4-1, when Leicester is not a team who are doing especially well.

“Overall I believe this team lacks pace, they play with a mono-rhythm and they do not change pace enough and cannot compete physically pace-wise at the top level at the moment.

“But the Premier League is still the Premier League and they can compete against top teams in Europe.”

Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr produced good displays in a new-look midfield against AC Milan with the duo Tottenham’s only two fit central midfielders.

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte said after the match: “I think that I’m really happy about the performance from Skippy and Pape Sarr.

“Honestly to play in this way in the Champions League and to play in the San Siro in this atmosphere, I think that normally it’s tough for important players.

“They played a really good game and I’m really happy. This type of performance makes me more relaxed for the future because we have to consider that we could finish the season with only three midfielders, Pape Sarr, Skippy and Pierre Hojbjerg.

“To have this type of performance makes me more relaxed because I know that I can count on these two players 100 per cent and I’m really happy for them.

“They will be the future for Tottenham but at the same time they will be the present. I have to consider them important players.”

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