The upcoming Sunday has in store for us a feisty encounter between Tottenham and Arsenal, and in this article, we preview the same.
Both Ange Postecoglou and Mikel Arteta would have wanted their opening three results to be better than what they achieved in pursuit of their respective targets for the season. Regardless of the recent form or historical record, both sides will be up for the fight come weekend.
Here are some things to keep in mind ahead of the North London Derby.
Injury news and absences
Both of Tottenham’s central strikers in Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are nursing knocks and may be left out of the squad altogether. Yves Bissouma is also a doubt.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have been handed multiple injury blows during this international break, with captain Martin Ødegaard having suffered an ankle knock that may leave him on the sidelines for a while, while Riccardo Calafiori sustained a calf injury against Austria. This is on top of Arsenal already dealing with injury absences of Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Declan Rice is set to sit this one out as well due to his suspension from last game.
Head-to-head
Historically, Arsenal lead Tottenham in the North London Derbies. Since 1896, Spurs have beaten the Gunners 67 times, while the reverse has happened 87 times, with 55 encounters ending in draw. (Source: 11v11)
Last five encounters
The last five North London Derbies have seen Arsenal dominate the overall proceedings with three wins. Spurs won one back in May 2022, while their first league affair of last season ended in a draw.
The last time these sides met, earlier this year in April, Arsenal came out 3-2 victorious.
At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham’s new ground has witnessed 34 North London Derbies, of which the hosts have won 13 compared to Arsenal’s eight. (Source: AiScore)
Biggest win and loss
Spurs have never conceded more than five goals in a game against Arsenal in North London Derby history. Their worst result came in the 1978/79 season, when Arsenal shipped five past them at White Hart Lane and went home with a clean sheet.
Recent Results
Tottenham have started this season in fidgety fashion, drawing the opening game away at Leicester before sealing an emphatic 4-0 victory against a seemingly-bewildered Everton side at home. In their last game, they lost 2-1 to Newcastle, their own goal coming in the form of a Dan Burn own goal.
Arsenal, on the other hand, tripped in their last game in their pursuit of Man City for the league title, drawing 1-1 at home to Brighton. They did secure comfortable 2-0 wins in each of their opening two games against Wolves and Aston Villa.
More Tottenham News:
- Tottenham Hotspur interested raiding Leeds United again after Archie Gray
- £53k-per-week star could refuse Tottenham exit now amid Turkey interest
- Alasdair Gold explains behind-the-scenes details of 20-year-old Tottenham youngster’s loan move
Prediction
Despite Arsenal’s personnel issues and Tottenham’s stumbling start, expect neither side to shy away too much from their respective 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 approaches.
We may see Raheem Sterling start for Arsenal, while Son Heung-min could start centrally to give the Arsenal centre-backs more to worry about, with either Timo Werner or Brennan Johnson offering pace on the move off the left.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
