The Arsenal and Tottenham managers are ready to slug it
out in a heavyweight contest to be North London champs.
And ‘referee’ George Graham, who bossed both clubs,
reckons granite-chinned Ramos could spring a massive shock by
winning the 38-game contest on points.
Graham has been impressed by Ramos’ achievements so far
at White Hart Lane.
The Scot believes Wenger could struggle to perform
another yearly miracle with his youngsters — despite striker
Emmanuel Adebayor last night agreeing a new four-year deal to stay
at the Emirates.
Graham insisted: “Ramos looks like a good rival for
Wenger in that he is calm, talented and devoted to fitness and
discipline.
“He has a real granite face and is not the kind of
coach you’d like to upset. I like that.
“I’ve enormous admiration for the football Wenger
produces but he is happy to stick with the kids this year.
“I’m concerned you can’t keep developing a new side
each season.
“At the very top level you need a settled, consistent,
experienced side.
Perhaps there are still some financial restrictions and
Arsene is expected to keep on pulling rabbits out of that hat every
season with cheaper, unknown young talents. It’s very, very hard to
do year after year.
“Everyone thought last season was the one where Spurs
would overhaul Arsenal and overtake them for a Champions League
place.
“But Arsenal got off to a flier and it just didn’t
happen for Spurs.
“If I were Ramos this season, I’d be making noises in
public about needing time to gel and how this is my first full
season. Privately, though, I’d definitely be telling the Spurs
players they are what they are — world-class players.
“I’d be convincing them there is no reason not to
target Arsenal. They must be ready and push for fourth place if the
Gunners slip up.
“It’s a massive ask and fifth would be a good
achievement for Tottenham but they must be ambitious in light of
the talent they’ve bought.”
Ramos is not willing to keep any player whose heart is
not at White Hart Lane and has already sold Robbie Keane to
Liverpool for £20million.
Dimitar Berbatov looks poised to follow and Graham
backs Ramos’ tough approach. He added: “If Robbie and Berbatov
don’t want to stay, then let them go and take the cash.”
Ramos has also brought in Croatian midfielder Luka
Modric — one of the stars of Euro 2008 — and Mexican magician
Giovani Dos Santos.
And Graham is sure new £17m signing David Bentley can
make a difference at the Lane.
He said: “Bentley is someone who does want to play for
Tottenham.
“Spurs have bought a guy who enjoyed a superb playing
education at the football machine which Wenger has built at Arsenal
although he had to move to get on.
“I’ve been watching Bentley closely since he left
Arsenal and I realised right away that maybe he was a bit arrogant.
But if a player has the class to back it up, then I like that.”
Graham reckons Bentley will be the new hero and is
backing the Spurs fans not to give him stick for his Arsenal
connections.
He said: “The first few weeks, OK, there will be some
Spurs diehards who’ll give him a bit of grief. But I don’t think it
will be evil or nasty for Bentley at White Hart Lane.”