Villas-Boas: "Szczesny's comments unjust"

Tottenham manager Andre Villas Boas has replied to comments made by Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny regarding the lack of quality at the White Hart Lane club.

The outspoken Arsenal goalkeeper yesterday ruled out Tottenham as a threat to their top four finish in the Premier League insisting that their rivals lack quality. However, speaking to the media ahead of Spurs’ match against Chelsea, Villas-Boas took a swipe at the Polish international and said:

“He is entitled to his opinion. It is absolutely fine. You don’t expect love from an Arsenal player to a Tottenham player. If it touches a bit of a lack of respect, it is normal in a rivalry.

“I think it would have been a little more tolerable if it had come from a genuine Arsenal fan. Coming from an Arsenal player, he is an Arsenal player who is probably only passing by to another club, or who is not going to stay there for life.

“In the end if he means exactly those words from the heart – he doesn’t, for sure. I wouldn’t say that an Arsenal fan (player) that has just arrived in that club for the last couple of years is entitled to so much hatred towards Tottenham like he seems to have.”

The Portuguese manager also insisted that his club should spend big this summer if they are to compete for top places next season. Tottenham are expected to splurge the cash in the summer in a bid to keep their big name players from leaving the club. Real Madrid are said to be preparing a massive bid for Gareth Bale and a run in the Champions League is required for Tottenham to truly prove its potential. Villas Boas added:

“For us, the objective is always to improve the team and for that to happen either we have Champions League money to make it easier, or we have to invest and risk a bit more.”