Djed Spence has turned into Cafu – of course Arsenal & Spurs are excited

With neither side looking like title contenders in the near future, it could be said that the Arsenal-Tottenham rivalry is the footballing equivalent of two bald men scrapping over a comb.

The more optimistic follower of either club will point to their presence in The Race For Fourth as a sign of tentative progress after a fallow period since 2019.

But the reality is far cloudier; both squads are packed full of stale players, each have suffered humiliating exits from cup competitions this season and Chelsea turn up every five minutes to reinforce the gap between them and the Premier League elite.

Both Arsenal and Tottenham recognise the need for continued regeneration and it’s no surprise to see them target Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence.

Spence, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, announced himself to a nationwide audience with an accomplished display as the Championship side dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier this month.

And the youngster underlined his status as the Trentside Cafu during Forest’s 3-0 win over Barnsley at a freezing City Ground.

With Steve Cooper’s side two goals ahead and coasting, Spence received possession in his own half and set off with the purpose of a man determined to reach his local before last orders.

The more unkind observers will suggest that the Barnsley defence contains more holes than OJ Simpson’s alibi but there was a beauty about Spence’s directness at exploiting them.

With a potent mix of pace and precision, sprinkled with the kind of flair taught on the Copacabana curriculum, the 21-year-old beat three defenders – with Jordan Williams being barged unceremoniously to the turf – before squaring for Brennan Johnson to sweep home Forest’s third.

Speaking after Forest