Jermaine Jenas backs Arsenal to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby
Tottenham Hotspur resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday with a feisty north London derby affair against Arsenal.
Spurs are fifth in the table and entered the November international break on the back of a 2-2 draw with Manchester United. They were on the brink of winning their first league game at home since beating Burnley on the opening weekend of the season, but Matthijs de Ligt’s towering header in the 96th-minute shared the spoils.
The Lilywhites’ league form has dipped lately, winning just two of their last five games. This has resulted in them dropping out of the top four spots. On the contrary, Arsenal hold a four-point lead at the top of the table. Their advantage was trimmed after drawing 2-2 away at Sunderland, before Manchester City smashed Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Jermaine Jenas predicts Arsenal vs Tottenham result
Arsenal have dominated the north London derbies over the years and did the double over Tottenham last season. Spurs have not won at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League for 15 years, and they take on an Arsenal side who barely drop points of late.
The Lilywhites may have been winless at home since the opening league game of the season, but they boast the best away record under Thomas Frank. They have picked up 13 points from a possible 15, which demonstrates how good Thomas Frank’s side have been on their travels this term. And that is one of the very few positive signs for Spurs heading into the derby.
Now, former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas has predicted the result of the North London derby. He expects Arsenal to continue their dominance over Tottenham and beat their noisy neighbours on Sunday, despite the Thomas Frank-managed side’s impressive away record.
“I fully expect Arsenal to win, unfortunately,” Jenas said on The Wildcards Podcast.
“I just think, look, Spurs are better away from home at the minute, currently, and I think they could cause Arsenal a few issues. But I just do not think they are playing well enough.”
Spurs can frustrate the Gunners at the Emirates
Spurs’ home record has been awful, to say the least, with TalkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy highlighting the lack of creativity as one of the biggest flaws in their side. This has piled pressure on Frank, as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium no longer feels like the fortress it once was. More than the results, it is the performance levels that has frustrated the supporters.
But, the first north London derby is at the Emirates, and given how Frank has usually set up his team away, Tottenham can frustrate Mikel Arteta’s side. By sitting in mid-block or low-block, Spurs can be direct and cause problems in transitions. With pacey attackers Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel available, Frank’s side can prove a thorn for the hosts in counter-attacks.
If Mohammed Kudus becomes fit and available for selection, he could make a massive difference for Tottenham going forward.