Antonio Conte says he was ‘very surprised’ following the postponement of the North London derby last weekend and has discussed Spurs’ plans during the January transfer window.
Conte has called the decision to call off the clash as ‘strange’ after the Premier League approved Arsenal’s request for a postponement, despite the Gunners possessing a limited number of covid-related cases.
Arsenal’s squad had been depleted through a combination of Covid, AFCON, injuries and suspension, but Conte has admitted his surprise to see the Premier League accept the club’s request.
“I think the club made a statement and they showed our disappointment at the decision. It was a strange decision,” Conte said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Spurs’ clash with Leicester tomorrow evening.
“I must admit that this is the first time in my life that a league postponed games due to injuries. I’m very surprised.”
Conte questioned the Premier League’s decision to postpone the game and says only Covid-related absences should be considered when it comes to cancellations.
“My feeling is that when there is the situation to play you have to play. Normally to postpone games is due to international duty.
🗣 "It's the first time in my life there is a league that postpones the game for injuries, this is very strange and very surprising."
Antonio Conte on the Premier League's decision to accept Arsenal's request to postpone the North London derby pic.twitter.com/TQuGmvFPsB
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 18, 2022
“We have a big problem to solve that is Covid, but only in this situation. For other situations, honestly, this is my first time in my life.”
Conte also spoke on Spurs’ plans on the transfer market, admitting he was unsure whether new players would arrive this month.
The Italian admits it is ‘very difficult’ to sign players during the January window but says the North Londoners are in need of reinforcements before the transfer deadline.
“I don’t know,” he said on new arrivals. “I know that the transfer window in January is always very difficult and it is more simple when you start the season to buy important players. In January it is not easy, but at the same time we know very well that if there is the opportunity and also if it’s not the best opportunity, but we need to do something.
“Also, I repeat that this could not be the best opportunity but I think that we are in a situation where we have to try to implement the squad because the squad is not so big.”
