Tottenham finally set to OVERTAKE Arsenal in UEFA rankings for the first time in 29 YEARS as Spurs’ spot in Europa Conference League sees them leapfrog the spiralling Gunners
- Tottenham begin their Europa Conference League campaign on Thursday
- The north Londoners face a trip to Stade Rennes in the third-tier competition
- Arsenal failed to qualify for any European football last season amid their crisis
- Spurs will go above their rivals in the UEFA rankings through the competition
Yet another measure of whether north London is red or white has fallen in Tottenham’s favour, as they prepare to overtake Arsenal in the UEFA rankings.
The imploding Gunners were bottom of the Premier League before edging Norwich 1-0 on Saturday, having failed to qualify for European competition last season in their worst league campaign this century.
Jose Mourinho left Spurs in a mess last term and they only managed seventh, which was still enough to qualify for the brand new Europa Conference League.
Tottenham will overtake Arsenal in the UEFA rankings on Thursday when they play Renees
The collapse under Mikel Arteta has seen Arsenal fall behind for the first time this century
Though trips to Stade Rennes, Vitesse and Slovenian top-flight side NS Mura will merely be a nuisance for Nuno Espirito Santo, the competition for European minnows does earn Spurs some bragging rights over their neighbours.
The UEFA rankings are based on results within the last five years, with Arsenal sitting 12th and Spurs 13th before the big European kick-off this week.
Espirito Santo’s side will be awarded bonus points for each round they surpass throughout the competition, with two points for a victory and one for a draw.
Arsenal are unable increase their total of 80.0 until at least next season and Spurs, alongside Roma, are favourites to win the competition.
Arsenal were sitting bottom of the league before edging Norwich, and aren’t in Europe
Spurs begin their Europa Conference League campaign on Thursday, earning bonus points
The rankings are lead by Bayern Munich with Liverpool the leading English club in third-place, while Chelsea lie fifth after lifting the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup this year.
For merely gaining a group stage place the north Londoners will move onto 80.5 points, after coming through their two-legged qualifying game against Pacos Ferreira
The last time Spurs lead the Gunners in the European rankings was 1991-92, and highlights the Gunners’ sad fall from grace.
A Martin Odegaard-inspired Arsenal beat Spurs 2-1 in the most recent North London derby but the club who have traditionally been stuck in their rivals’ shadow are finally on top.
Spurs have won six derbies, while Arsenal have taken four since 2015 – with five draws.
Espirito Santo’s men race Rennes first, travelling to France on Thursday for the match before facing a critical London derby against Chelsea at home. Arsenal play Burnley on Saturday.
