The entitlement for North London bragging rights goes on the line as bitter rivals Arsenal and Tottenham lock horns this Sunday at the Emirates Stadium in what is always a encounter filled with goals, grit and controversy.
The North London derby is the first match that both sets of players and fan’s immediately search for when the new fixtures are announced each season, and this promises to be another hotly contested affair between these two old foes.
Currently occupying second position on the Premier League table on goal difference behind Manchester City, the Gunners are on a superb run of form having won their past five league matches on the bounce. 13 goals have been scored in the process, with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Olivier Giroud firing on all cylinders.
Their confidence took a battering on Wednesday night, however, obliterated 5-1 by a rampant Bayern Munich side, as their chances of qualifying for the European knock out stages were dealt a serve blow. The result typifyied the club’s Jekyll and Hyde sort of season to date.
The Premier League seems to be the priority for Arsene Wenger and his troops this year, and not only do they need to respond after the humiliating defeat in Munich, but to also keep in touch with Man City and avoid falling back into the chasing pack.
Since their opening day defeat to Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur have remained unbeaten in the Premier League and after a slow star are beginning to take shape, picking up some highly impressive wins in the process.
Sitting in fourth place, just four points off the top and seemingly flying under the radar, a win would catapult Tottenham within reach of the summit of the table and with Chelsea continuing to flounder, a top four finish is certainly within their reach this year.
The emergence of youngsters Dele Alli and Eric Dier has given Spurs another dimension in the midfield, while marksman Harry Kane is starting to hit his straps after a subdued start to the campaign.
Kane now has four goals in his past two outings and along with playmaker Christian Eriksen, will hold the key for the Lilywhites if they are to breach the Arsenal defence.
Key Battles – Mesut Ozil vs Eric Dier and Laurent Koscielny vs Harry Kane
There are many fascinating duels across the park that could decide the outcome of this crucial fixture. Derbies are usually decided by moments of individual brilliance and these two players will have to be nullified if either of the two teams want to come out trumps.
It is fair to say that Ozil is the best player in the Premier League right now and is starting to assert himself on games with more regularity, something that was not the case in his first two seasons in North London.
The German has already recorded nine assists this season, the most in Europe’s top five league’s and has produced his best performances in some of Arsenal’s biggest games, putting to bed the doubts over his grand stage exploits.
For Tottenham, the man that will attempt to shackle the influential playmaker is Eric Dier, who has blossomed in his new holding-midfield role after being signed by the club as a central-defender, winning his first England call up as a result.
After the departures of Paulhino, Benjamin Stambouli and Etienne Capou, Spurs had failed to address a position that was seen to need urgent reinforcement. But the emergence of Dier has vindicated Mauricio Pochettino decision not to splurge on a new defensive-midfielder.
The 21 year old, along with the arrival of central-defender Toby Alderweireld, has made Tottenham are much tougher nut to crack this season,and his dual with Ozil will be his biggest test yet to see just how far his come playing in his new defensive role.
From Tottenham’s perspective, Kane will be a pivotal figure and has happy memories of this fixture after his match winning double at White Heart Lane last term. Despite his underwhelming start, he is still the team’s top scorer with six and looks like his getting close to somewhere near his best. His latest goal in the Europa League against Anderlecht is the perfect tonic before this weekend’s clash.
Kane’s movement and link-up play is crucial at the top of Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 system, and with Laurent Koscielny expected to return from a slight hip problem, he will be the man entrusted with blanketing Kane’s influence on proceedings.
Koscielny is Arsenal’s best and most consistent defender, and his pending return to the side will be timely boost after the Gunners chaotic defensive display at the Allianz Area mid week. His agility and positional awareness will be critical in his endeavours to curb Kane’s output.
Team News
Arsenal’s injury crisis will be eased somewhat, with the likely return of Koscielny, while Mikel Arteta and David Ospina are both a chance to return to the squad.
Arsene Wenger will still be without a host of first team regulars, including Hector Bellerin (groin), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Theo Walcott (calf), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (knee) and Danny Welbeck (knee).
The absence of Bellerin will mean the under performing Mathieu Debuchy will continue at right-back, while Koscielny will be immediately thrust back into the starting lineup, most likely at the expense of Gabriel Paulista. Other then that it should be the same lineup that took to the field against Bayern, with Joel Campbell retaining his spot on the right hand side of midfield.
Tottenham have a lengthy injury list also, with Christopher N’Jie, Nacer Chadli and Tom Carrol all sidelined. Heung-min Son is close to full fitness after appearing amongthe substitutes in their Europa League match against Anderlecht, while Nabil Bentaleb is back in training but lacking match fitness.
The goal scoring cameo from Moussa Dembele will give Pochettino food for thought as to whether he should recall the Belgian back into the starting lineup, or stick with a midfield pivot of Alli and Dier. Kyle Walker is almost certain to return to the starting lineup and the expense of Kieran Trippier, while there are doubts over the fitness of left back Danny Rose, with Ben Davies a chance to retain his place in Pochettino’s eleven.
Head-to-head and Previous meeting
The red and white sides of North London have converged 180 times, with Arsenal winning 78 of those while Tottenham have enjoyed 55 victories with 48 draws in between.
It took Spurs 20 years to finally beat Arsenal in the Premier League, but ever since that drought breaking result this fixture has become much more competitive, with both teams sharing success at various stages.
The last time Tottenham won at Arsenal was back in 2010, where goals from Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul sealed a magnificent come from behind 3-2 result, breaking through for their first win in their rivals backyard in 17 years.
Since then the Gunners have won four of the last five duals at the Emirates including consecutive 5-2 drubbings. Last year’s corresponding fixture saw Spurs earn a creditable point in a dogged defensive display.
There was an early edition of the North London Derby in September, when a double from the most unlikely source Mathieu Flamini helped Arsenal overcome Tottenham to advance to the fourth round of the League Cup.
[interaction id=”563d7e8b737e4fee1d6966de”]
Prediction
Form usually goes out the window on derby day, but the league form line for both these team’s is nothing but positive, so both clubs will fancy themselves in what should be a cracking contest.
Missing so many key players could really come back to bite Arsenal, but they still possess an abundance of quality that is good enough to win this game.
Tottenham’s new found defensive solidity will hold them in good stead, as they will look to sit in and frustrated the home side, and the threat of Kane and the craft of Eriksen means they will have enough in attack to pose questions to the Arsenal back four.
An in-form attacking trio of Giroud, Ozil and Sanchez will prove to be a handful, and if they can win the midfield battle and provide adequate enough service to their three stars expect the home side to have to much for their North London neighbours in what should be a tight tussle.
Arsenal 2 Tottenham 1
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
