Crouch wants to leapfrog Arsenal

Pa,Martyn Ziegler
Thursday 06 May 2010 14:30 BST
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Peter Crouch is refusing to give up hope that Tottenham's amazing season can get even better by leapfrogging Arsenal to steal third place in the Barclays Premier League.

Spurs guaranteed a place in the Champions League final qualifying round by beating Manchester City yesterday and it is still possible they could secure an automatic place in the group stages of Europe's premier club competition on Sunday by finishing third instead of fourth.

Harry Redknapp's side need to win at Burnley on Sunday and hope Arsenal, whose season has drifted to a standstill, slip up at home to Europa League finalists Fulham.

England striker Crouch, who tasted Champions League football with Liverpool, said: "If Arsenal lose, we've got an opportunity, and there's no way we won't be up for it on the last day just because we've qualified for the Champions League.

"We'll be going all out to finish strongly at Burnley and get a result, and see what happens.

"I've got to be honest, we didn't dream about catching Arsenal. They were challenging for the title at one point, and we were never in the title race. But it's a possibility and that would be fantastic, the icing on the cake."

Crouch scored the only goal to beat City and admitted afterwards that Spurs had been guilty of under-achieving in the past.

He added: "When I joined in the summer I couldn't believe how the club had been underachieving with the fantastic squad of players we have.

"We can replace international players with international players, and over the course of the season I think we deserve fourth place.

"It's the best competition in the world, with the best players in the world and any player would want to be part of it.

"I remember those Champions League nights at Anfield being so special and I believe they can be just as special at White Hart Lane.

"The Champions League is difficult and you do have to be extremely organised away from home. That is the key.

"If we qualify from the group stages, we have enough players and enough tactical know-how to be able to do well."

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy hailed the club's guarantee of a shot at the Champions League as perfect timing to boost their new stadium plans.

Spurs want to build a new £400million, 56,000-seat ground to replace their ageing White Hart Lane home, and making the Champions League group stage would bring in more than £20million in extra income next season.

Levy said: "I wouldn't want to put a price on it but it is great news for the club, particularly as we are in the throes of considering building a new stadium.

"I always knew Harry was a great manager. Clearly he has made a great contribution, but credit also needs to go to the team."

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