Antonio Conte hits out at Mikel Arteta over Arsenal boss fixture complaint

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has hit out at Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta for complaining about his side’s fixture list.

Arteta criticised the Premier League for scheduling the Gunners to play against Liverpool on Wednesday night and then Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime, sarcastically saying “thank you to the Premier League” and calling it “not fair”.

But Conte said the Spaniard had no right to complain given the Gunners called off the north London derby in January, despite having only one confirmed case of coronavirus. The Premier League changed the rules regarding fixture postponements in the wake of that specific incident.

Conte said: “Arteta should remember the game postponed. Tottenham-Arsenal. If we speak about unfair…”

Pushed to elaborate, the former Chelsea boss said: “In general, I think my answer is enough. If someone wants to think about fair or unfair – (it was) postponed the game, Tottenham-Arsenal, if you remember. I don’t forget this. And it’s not right to speak about fair or unfair.”

Meanwhile, Conte believes Eric Dier can still go to the World Cup in December after calling him one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

Dier, who has enjoyed a consistent season for Spurs, but was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming international break.

“He’s working very hard and in this moment he’s one of the best defenders in the league,” Conte said.

“He has also big space to improve his performance and his quality and to become a stronger and stronger player.

“In the past, I had the chance to coach the (Italy) national team and I understand that sometimes you have a plan.

He’s working very hard and in this moment he’s one of the best defenders in the league.- Antonio Conte on Eric