Wenger warns Spurs to follow Arsenal formula

London - Arsene Wenger warmed up for
Saturday's explosive north London derby by
insisting Tottenham Hotspur will never become a
Premier League power unless they follow
Arsenal's blueprint for success.
After being unable to match their title rivals'
spending power for several years, Gunners boss
Wenger is finally reaping the rewards of Arsenal's
decision to leave their historic but antiquated
Highbury home and move into the 60 000-
capacity Emirates Stadium in 2006.
The £390 million cost of building their high-tech
new abode initially proved a problem for Wenger
as it diverted funds that would otherwise have
been used in the transfer market, but the
increased revenue from the Emirates is now
working in his favour.
Wenger last year signed Germany midfielder
Mesut Ozil for a club record £42 million and spent
another £30 million to land Chile winger Alexis
Sanchez before the start of the current campaign.
It is the kind of spending spree that can
transform a team from pretenders to serious
contenders, and Wenger says Tottenham -- who
haven't finished above Arsenal for 19 years --
must follow the same formula if they are to break
into the top four on a long-term basis.
Spurs are pushing ahead with proposals to
redevelop land around White Hart Lane to
accommodate a new 56 250-capacity venue, but
following legal challenges in the High Court could
be set for a season of ground-sharing rather than
being able to move for the 2017-18 campaign as
planned.
"You cannot be in a business where you turn
down 15 000 or 20 000 people every week. If your
competitors have more financial power than you,
at some stage you have to make a decision,"
Wenger said.
"It looks like everybody makes this decision now,
because when you look at Liverpool, Everton,
(they) want to increase their capacity. If you stay
in a smaller capacity, it is even more difficult."
Also on Saturday, Liverpool will look to get their
spluttering season back on track in the
Merseyside derby against Everton.
The Reds have lost three of their opening five
games and needed penalties to see off second-
tier Middlesbrough in the League Cup on Tuesday,
edging a remarkable shootout 14-13 after a 2-2
draw.
Given Liverpool's poor form, it is no surprise boss
Brendan Rodgers hopes the derby can provide the
same morale boost as last year's Anfield clash
with Everton.
The 4-0 victory over their neighbours in January
was the start of a run that brought Liverpool 37
points from a possible 39 and Rodgers said: "We
haven't made the best of starts this season but
in the like-for-like games last season, we're only
a point different.
"We go into this game with a great opportunity to
get a victory in a derby game, which we will hope
can provide a platform for us to go on
consistently, like it did last year."
Everton went down 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace
last weekend, but although they have not won at
Anfield for 15 years, manager Roberto Martinez
says they will approach the game with a positive
attitude.
"The defeat against Crystal Palace, there was
something spooky about it," he said, in reference
to the fact that Palace had also won 3-2 on their
previous visit to Goodison Park in April.
"The last time we beat Liverpool at Anfield was
September 27 (in 1999), so I hope the spookiness
carries on at the weekend."
Three points clear after a 1-1 draw at defending
champions Manchester City last weekend, leaders
Chelsea host third-place Aston Villa. Second-
place Southampton, level on points with Villa,
tackle Queens Park Rangers.
City, meanwhile, visit Hull City, having demolished
second-tier Sheffield Wednesday 7-0 in the
League Cup in mid-week.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal faces
an injury crisis in central defence ahead of his
side's home game with West Ham United.
The Dutchman will hope to see a vastly improved
defensive display after United lost 5-3 at Leicester
City last weekend.
But with Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris
Smalling injured, and Tyler Blackett suspended
following his dismissal at the King Power
Stadium, Marcos Rojo is United's only available
senior centre-back.
Fixtures
Saturday
Liverpool v Everton - 13:45
Chelsea v Aston Villa - 16:00
Crystal Palace v Leicester City - 16:00
Hull City v Manchester City - 16:00
Manchester United v West Ham United - 16:00
Southampton v Queens Park Rangers - 16:00
Sunderland v Swansea City - 16:00
Asenal v Tottenham Hotspur - 18:30
Sunday
West Bromwich Albion v Burnley - 17:00
Monday
Stoke City v Newcastle United - 21:00