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Tottenham out for north London derby revenge against Arsenal in EFL Cup quarter-final, admits Hugo Lloris

The World Cup winner says a 4-2 defeat to the Gunners earlier this month will provide extra motivation

Jonathan Veal
Monday 17 December 2018 08:12 GMT
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Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris says his side will travel to Arsenal for their EFL Cup quarter-final this week determined for revenge.

Spurs return to the Emirates Stadium a little over two weeks since they lost a fiery encounter 4-2 in the Premier League, where there were issues both on and off the pitch.

Lloris' side were outplayed that day as the Gunners came from 2-1 down with a fine second-half showing and took no shame in bragging about the win on social media.

Although this EFL Cup encounter might not be played with the same intensity - both sides could play weakened teams amid a hectic fixture schedule - the Frenchman insists Spurs have added motivation.

“Maybe it's the good thing that we lost the Premier League game a few weeks ago because it is more motivation for us,” Lloris said after Spurs kept pace in the title race with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.

“There is no more bad feeling than when you get a defeat. You always try to analyse and make things that we will not repeat again. It is another opportunity and we will try our best to go through.

“Every game that you lose it hurts, but of course when you lead 2-1, it's true that Arsenal is playing very well this season and it is a difficult team to beat but I think we have the quality to do it.

“It is important to take every competition seriously, whatever the competition is.

“Of course there is priority in the season but it is a League Cup game and if you go through there is a semi-final and a good chance.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Spurs 4-2 earlier this month

“And then it is a derby so it is easier to prepare for because there always excitement and enjoyment to play that type of game.”

Spurs' defeat to their north London rivals is the only time they have tasted defeat in their last 11 games across all competitions.

That run included a progression-securing draw at Barcelona in the Champions League this week, meaning in the last 15 months Tottenham have gone to the Nou Camp, Real Madrid and Juventus and not lost.

Lloris believes the experience will help Spurs as they aim to condemn Arsenal to a second defeat in a week after Sunday's 3-2 Premier League loss at Southampton.

“We need to believe and we have a chance,” the goalkeeper added. “We have a lot of respect for them but every game we try to win. It was the case when we played Barcelona away, it was the case last season when we played Madrid or Juventus away and every game you want to compete and win.

“There are different circumstances and you try to adapt, but with the same motivation and willingness to win.”

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