Real Madrid vs. Barcelona or Bayern vs. Dortmund often come to mind when we talk about footballing rivalries. However, it’s important to note that these rivalries primarily exist due to the stature of the clubs and can not be called derbies. A derby is a showdown between two local clubs with regional significance often fueled by some historical event, and such is the Arsenal vs. Tottenham match. In fact, you could walk between both grounds within 30 minutes.
This game is one of the world’s most important and famous derbies, with an intensity and atmosphere that only a few can rival. Unlike many rivalries, where one big team tends to dominate, this fixture has maintained its ferocity over decades, and there are no obvious winners here.
Arsenal go into the North London Derby after an impressive 4-0 Champions League victory against the current runners-up of the Eredivisie, PSV. Their season has been marked by six wins out of seven games, with one draw against Fulham. Arteta’s innovative tactics seem to have changed the dynamics for Arsenal, who are steadily evolving into a team capable of contending for all major titles.
Tottenham, now under new manager Ange Postecoglou, have four straight premier league wins, including a thrilling late win against Sheffield United last week. Postecoglou is quickly becoming a favorite among Spurs supporters and within the broader Premier League fanbase. Many fans and pundits now believe that he just might be the right person to lead Spurs to their long-awaited glory days. Both Arsenal and Spurs are currently undefeated in the Premier League, but this will probably change on Sunday.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Tips
Mikel Arteta made a surprising switch in his last two games, opting for David Raya as the starting goalkeeper instead of the English international Aaron Ramsdale. Raya, who is more recognized for his passing abilities, secured clean sheets in both outings and was praised on both occasions. He will now be determined to keep that number one spot, and another clean sheet would certainly help with this. Supported by the likes of Declan Rice, Ben White, and William Saliba in defense, Arsenal look set for another good defensive show, and because of this, we back them to keep a clean sheet.
ODDS FOR ARSENAL TO KEEP A CLEAN SHEET: 3.151 @BLACK
All eyes will be on Arsena’s in-form duo of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, who are both in superb form since the start of this season. The onus might fall on either of these two, who could produce moments of brilliance, and one of those moments could be in the form of a goal.
ODDS FOR OVER 1.5 GOALS: 1.166 @BLACK
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Match Analysis
Tottenham faces a huge challenge with the departure of the North London Derby’s top scorer, Harry Kane, to Bayern this summer, who has left some big shoes to fill. Richarlison was poised to be Kane’s successor in that main striker role, but he has an underwhelming record for Spurs, with only 2 Premier League goals in 32 appearances. On a positive note, Son Heung-min seems to be returning to top form once again, and James Maddison, who was dubbed a “£45m bargain” by a reporter, is also surpassing expectations since his move from Leicester City.
With Eddie Nketiah rested for the PSV game, it is highly likely that he will start this match, especially considering that he has been Arteta’s first-choice striker for the Premier League this season. The goalkeeper dilemma adds further intrigue for Arsenal as Aaron Ramsdale is left out, but this could all just be tactical. Arteta recently stated that he has considered swapping goalkeepers at the game’s closing stages to secure a lead, and all of this might just be a case of which keeper fits best against a specific team.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Predictions
Arsenal have a slight edge if we consider the recent form of both clubs, especially after their massive win against PSV. Their Champions League triumph comes after their commendable performance against Everton last week, where they secured a long-awaited win at Goodison Park after nearly six years. Spurs might seem impressive on paper, but it’s worth mentioning that their wins have come against teams currently in the lower half of the table. Arsenal might be the first real test for Ange Postecoglou’s men, and they’ll need to perform exceptionally well to make a statement against their fierce rivals.
As Arsenal played midweek and Spurs face a short trip to North London for their away match, fatigue might become a factor for the Gunners and could give real hope for Spurs. However, given Arsenal’s impressive squad depth, it’s unlikely they’ll be at a massive disadvantage. Overall, we expect Arsenal to clinch a hard-fought 2-0 victory, maintaining their run and reaffirming their title contention.
ODDS FOR ARSENAL TO WIN 2-0 12.246: @BLACK
Arsenal Team News
Recent injuries have hit key players at Arsenal, but unlike previous years, this time around, they have good backups and versatile players who can step up thanks to smart transfers and Arteta’s overall rebuild. Gabriel Martinelli pulled his hamstring in Arsenal’s recent Premier League game against Everton, and the extent of his injury is not yet known. Despite Marinelli’s absence, it looks like Arsenal will still manage a very strong team for the derby, with Trossard most likely to play on the left wing.
Thomas Partey has been facing a groin injury since September and was initially ruled out for months, but now there’s talk that he might just be out for a few weeks. Jurrien Timber is out with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, and the earliest expected return date for him could be sometime towards the end of the season. Elsewhere, Arsenal’s longest-serving player, Mohamed Elneny, is in the final stages of his recovery, according to Mikel Arteta, and should be returning to the team soon.
Tottenham Team News
In the latest Tottenham team update, they face a series of setbacks due to injuries. Croatian international Ivan Perisic recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in his right leg during non-contact training. Unfortunately, this will require surgery, which could keep him out for up to 9 months. Despite his disappointment, Perisic hopes for a quick recovery and aims to return in time for the Euros next year.
Another key player missing for Spurs is Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been battling a knee injury since June. Bentancur’s potential comeback could be a game-changer for Spurs, and his presence could significantly bolster the team’s performance. Other key players who won’t feature against Arsenal include Ryan Sessegnon, Bryan Gil, Giovani Lo Celso, and Alfie Malik Whiteman. Sessegnon is recovering from hamstring surgery, Gil from groin surgery, and Lo Celso from a thigh injury. Whiteman, who underwent foot surgery after the pre-season tour, is also progressing, but it is unclear when he will be back.
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