Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says Arsene Wenger should focus on Arsenal after trophy drought dig: 'He made a mistake to talk about us'

• e-mail

Maurcio Pochettino has told Arsene Wenger to stop talking about Tottenham after the Arsenal manager spoke out on his team’s trophy drought.

Wenger insisted this week that Arsenal are judged by different standards to the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham and claimed the media ‘celebrate’ other clubs despite them not delivering silverware.

But Pochettino has hit back, saying Wenger made a ‘mistake’ talking about Spurs and defiantly stating that he would never disrespect his rival’s achievements.

Mauricio Pochettino says Arsene Wenger should focus on his own club and not Tottenham

Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday night, while Tottenham will resume their bid for a first trophy in 10 years in the FA Cup at Newport County on Saturday night.

‘I respect Wenger a lot and because I respect him a lot I don't want to say anything,’ Pochettino said. ‘Football is not only to win trophies, it’s the circumstances of different clubs.

‘For me he (Wenger) is and will always be one of the best managers in the world, I respect him but I think he needs to talk (about) himself and Arsenal.

Wenger suggested Tottenham's trophy drought is ignored by the British press at his expense

‘I always gave and will give the full credit for what he’s achieved at Arsenal in more than 20 years. Before playing Arsenal, I praise him a lot and I remember I always said more than 20 years to stay in the same club is special.

‘For me he is a special manager, but everyone sometimes makes a mistake and for me he made a mistake to talk about us or a different team.’ 

Pochettino has been widely praised for his project at Tottenham without winning trophies while Wenger has been criticised for the decline of his Arsenal team of late. 

Earlier this week Wenger had told the media: ‘You celebrate some teams who have not been in a final for 25 years and yet you kill us even though we have won the FA Cup three times in the last four years.’

At no point did Wenger specifically name Tottenham, however.  

Meanwhile, Pochettino says Spurs are no closer to any transfer deals this month and admits he is finding it ‘difficult’ to find suitable targets.

The Argentine is reluctant to recruit from abroad mid-season and has not found anyone to buy from Premier League rivals.

Tottenham have not lifted a major trophy since winning the League Cup in the 2007-8 season

‘Always it’s difficult, the transfer window, because it’s only three and a half months of the competition (left) – February, March, April and 15 or 20 days in May,’ Pochettino said.

‘It’s so difficult to add players now - quality players that can help us to win games and achieve all that we want. If you want players that arrive to the Premier League or to change the team here in the Premier League, you need to know and be sure if you’re going to invest big money.

‘If not, it’s a massive pressure for the player, for the club too because all the players need time to adapt themselves in a new league, or when you change club and play in a different philosophy.

‘Sometimes you believe it’s going to help and sometimes it’s going to create a problem. That’s why it’s so difficult, the transfer window now.’ ends

Wenger has delivered three FA Cup titles in the last four seasons and seven in total for Arsenal