AVB: Arsenal and Wenger Envy Spurs for Remaining in European Competition

Andre Villas-Boas believes Arsenal envy their north London rivals. Spurs have qualified for the quarter final of the Europa League and remain in pole position to qualify for the Champions League next term.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have been eliminated from the Champions League and are certain to end an eighth straight year without a trophy, piling pressure on manager Arsene Wenger. Worse still, they are only fifth in the Premier League, with both Chelsea and Spurs well ahead in the race for Champions League football.

AVB did admit the pressure of playing in Europe would have an impact on key players' fitness levels but the squad will be boosted by the return of Welsh international Gareth Bale, for the weekend's league match against Fulham. Bale sat out the second leg of the Europa League tie against Inter Milan last midweek, to serve a suspension.

"I'm not sure about that [when asked if Arsena's elimination from Europe gave the Gunners an edge]. I think the objective of a European trophy means a lot to every single club and to the players as well. All that matters in the end is the result and the fact we made progress. I am sure Arsenal would have traded what we have been through to score one more goal in Munich and win the tie," the ex-Chelsea boss said.

"We are tired physically but I think emotionally it will give us an edge. It was great to see the players fight until the end. That was the most inspiring thing we saw in Milan," AVB concluded.

Gallas on Inter Milan Game

Tottenham defender William Gallas has insisted his side have learnt their lessons after the 1-4 mauling at the Giuseppe Meazza. Spurs went to Italy with a 3-0 lead from the first leg but were forced to sweat and fight for qualification after the Italians blitzed them in regulation time.

"In the next game it [poor defending] won't happen. It won't happen because all the players know what they have to do. Against Inter we didn't play well. It was not good and all the boys know we have to react," the former Arsenal captain explained.