Ex-Arsenal Legend Lauren Wants Tottenham To Survive Relegation

Former Arsenal defender Lauren Etame Mayer has made an unexpected plea regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s bleak situation in the 2025/26 Premier League season not out of sympathy, but out of a desire to keep the North London Derby alive for Arsenal’s continued dominance.

With Spurs languishing dangerously close to the relegation zone, the prospect of their first drop from the top flight in decades has become a genuine talking point.

Yet Lauren, a key member of Arsenal’s Invincibles, has publicly stated that he does not want to see their bitter rivals go down.

In an interview with The Sun, the former Cameroon international explained that his stance has nothing to do with caring for Tottenham’s fortunes. Instead, it is driven by pure sporting selfishness: he wants Arsenal to keep enjoying the ritual of beating them twice a season.

“As an Arsenal fan, there is one fixture we circle on the calendar every single year — the North London Derby against Tottenham,” Lauren said.

“It’s good for the soul of this club to play your biggest rivals season after season. Tottenham getting relegated would not be good news for Arsenal supporters, nor for the Premier League as a whole.”

He added with a knowing smile: “We want to play them. We want to beat them. And I want that tradition to carry on. Their relegation would be a huge shock to English football, but if you ask me what I prefer I’d rather they stay up, so we can take six points off them again next season.”

Lauren’s comments lay bare the complex psychology of football rivalry: even contempt can be a form of respect.

While some Arsenal fans might secretly relish watching Spurs crumble, the former right-back believes the Premier League loses a piece of its identity without the fiery, high-stakes drama of a North London derby.

For now, Tottenham must fight for their survival — not for Lauren’s goodwill, but because their own pride depends on it.

And if they do stay up, they can be sure that Arsenal will be waiting, ready to remind them exactly why their neighbor wants them around.