Friday 1 March 2013 12:47, UK
Gareth Bale says it is 'flattering' to be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but insists he does not model his game on the world's best players.
Villas-Boas and Bale face a huge test of their UEFA Champions League credentials this weekend when they face Arsenal at White Hart Lane. Spurs will move seven points ahead of their bitter rivals in the race for Champions League qualification if they win, but they were thumped 5-2 in the reverse fixture three months ago, thanks partly to Emmanuel Adebayor's early dismissal. Bale thinks the big defeat will have no bearing on the outcome of Sunday's match against the Gunners, who have finished above their neighbours every year since 1995. Bale added: "I don't think the 5-2 score really affects this game. We had 10 men for 73 minutes, which isn't easy - especially at the Emirates against probably one of the best footballing teams. "We just want to take all three points in this one, especially being at home. It's a massive game and Arsenal are probably the one team we want to beat more than anything. "[We've] got stronger every year since I've been here. I think the standard of players is going up and up. We're still progressing now, and hopefully there's a lot more to come."
