Antonio Conte is Tottenham’s key asset to beating Arsenal in top-four race, admits ex-Gunners star Keown

Martin Keown has explained why Antonio Conte could be the difference between Tottenham finishing fourth and failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham are also in the mix for the final place in next season’s competition, but the former Gunners defender believes the experience of Conte could trump Mikel Arteta’s efforts.

“In this feverish top-four fight, Tottenham will feel they have a real advantage over their rivals and that’s because of Antonio Conte and his record,” he wrote in the Mail.

“In Conte they have a coach who has won titles for every major club he has managed — five in total with Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan — and knows what it takes to qualify for the Champions League.

“Throughout his management career he has been incredibly open with the media. He was honest about Tottenham’s huge inconsistencies as they went from one extreme to the other by beating Manchester City then losing to Burnley.

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