Few people understand the pressure of a title fight like Tim Sherwood , who lifted the trophy as captain at Blackburn Rovers . Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , he breaks down Arsenal's title chances, Haaland's sportsmanship, and the questions that will follow this club until they cross the line.
He also weighs in on the Declan Rice armband debate, whether former club Tottenham could face an exodus next season and the likely destinations for both Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven, while also name checking the perfect signing for the club next season provided they can stay up.
Title Race
Can Arsenal fans still have hope in the title race?
I still think there is a chance Arsenal can win the title. I think they have the easier run-in than Man City , but Man City have got the momentum now. I thought they played all right yesterday. They should have won the game. Havertz has to score one of the two, if not both. Erling Haaland's was a harder finish, but big players stand up at the right time, and that is what he did.
The header was a sitter. Anyone can tell you — you just knock that down into any corner. It is natural to point a finger and say they have not got the stomach for it. Until they go over the line, people will always ask these questions. But I believe in Mikel Arteta . I think they have the right manager. The question will always be the heart, the desire, the mentality, the bottle. Until you win it, you will never stop that noise.
Declan Rice
Should Declan Rice be made the Arsenal captain?
The armband will never change anything. I was captain of Blackburn , but we had six or seven captains in that dressing room. Shearer , Colin Hendry , David Batty , Tim Flowers, leaders. Whether I had the armband or not, I still played the same way. And I think that is exactly the same as what Declan would feel. He would be proud to wear the armband at a huge club like Arsenal , but he would play the same way regardless.
I say that about Gabriel Magalhaes, too. But I think Erling Haaland has kept Arsenal in the title race by not hitting the deck. If he hits the deck, Gabriel gets sent off, three-game ban — over, finished. Referees, just because he did not dive on the floor, he should have been red-carded. Because Gabriel and Declan Rice have been the outstanding players.
Transfer Talk
Could you see Lucas Bergvall at Arsenal or Chelsea next season?
Not from what I have seen. He looks like a decent enough player, good type, good lad, picks up a lot of injuries. But I could not hang my hat on him because I have not seen him perform at a consistent level. That is not just Lucas — I could say that about all Tottenham players. If they had been consistent enough, they would not be in the position they are in.
Arsenal need players who are going to go in and improve them straight away, like Cherki , like Guehi , like Semenyo at Man City . In January , they went out and spent money and just forced the issue. If they go on and win it, those two guys are probably the reasons why.
Is Micky van de Ven a certainty to leave Spurs?
I have been disappointed with Micky van de Ven . He has the ability to be a top-drawer player, but has he been that for Tottenham ? I would say no. It is about partnerships. I would rather have Konstantinos Mavropanos and Alex Disasi than Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven right now. When the going got tough, Mavropanos has three goals recently. What they do is defend the box. They want to defend. They are organised, they play for the team, not as individuals. I know Romero and Van de Ven were not brought to Tottenham to play in a relegation battle, but we are in this environment. And that is saying something.
Where would you love to see Jack Grealish playing next season?
Jack Grealish is the perfect signing for Tottenham if they stay in the division. They need a superstar, they need a maverick, they need creativity. He has got all of that, and the personality you need too. If Roberto De Zerbi stays, he should go and do everything he possibly can to get Jack Grealish . Why on earth did they not take him when Everton went and took him on loan? I have an idea — the people making those decisions have no clue.
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