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Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham must ignore local rivals Arsenal

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Mauricio Pochettino says his focus is not on Arsenal

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino claims people around the club must ignore north London rivals Arsenal and focus on their own ambitions.

Spurs have not finished ahead of Arsenal in the league since 1995, but they will bring that run to an end should they secure a point against Newcastle next weekend.

Arsene Wenger has had the upper hand in every year of his Arsenal reign against a stream of Tottenham managers.

Mauricio Pochettino press conference, Fiorentina v Tottenham Hotspur, Europa League
Image: Pochettino says Spurs have improvements to make

But Pochettino is determined not to obsess about local bragging rights and has urged all at White Hart Lane to adopt a similar approach.

And after falling just short of new English champions Leicester this season, Pochettino is determined to secure the title at the next attempt.

Following Tottenham's 2-1 reverse to Southampton, Pochettino said: "I think that I don't care about Arsenal, I want to win the league, I want to be on top but Arsenal I do not care about.

When Spurs last pipped Arsenal
When Spurs last pipped Arsenal

We recall the last time Spurs finished above their rivals

"Sure I want to be above them, but this I think is normal. But to try to improve, to try and be bigger, we need to concentrate on us and not look what is happening with our neighbours.

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"We feel disappointed, I think that our last game at home we want to win but we are disappointed."

As for what his team need to improve on for next season, Pochettino said: "I think we need to put our energy in trying to win games like today.

Toby Alderweireld scores in Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in March
Image: Toby Alderweireld scores in Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in March

"It does not matter if it is Southampton, Arsenal or Chelsea, we want to win, we want to be above them and now we are the same next season too.

"Two shots on target for them and they scored twice and we scored only once with 70 per cent possession but in football you never know.

"It has been a good experience for us to learn from this season. We improved from last season but we need to still improve and try to improve and try to be better."

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