The North London Derby is always a highly anticipated match, but this year’s edition promises to be even more special as Arsenal and Tottenham have both made strong starts to the season.
Arsenal are currently fourth on the Premier League table, having won four and drawn one of their first five games. The Gunners have been playing some excellent football under Mikel Arteta, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak against their bitter North London rivals.
Tottenham are also in good form, having won four and drawn one of their first five league games, the same as Arsenal. Ange Postecoglou has made a significant impact on the Spurs squad since his arrival, and he will be determined to lead his team to a victory over their arch-rivals.
Pundit and former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has given his prediction on the game via the BBC website writing,
“I really cannot wait for this game, I love the start that Tottenham have made under Ange Postecoglou, and the way he has got them playing expansive football.
“Knowing Ange from his time at Celtic, he is not going to take a backward step here and change his approach – he will go for it again.”
Sutton then went on to predict a 3-2 home win for the Gunners.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Sutton may have built Tottenham up in his comments but he knows that Arsenal will win as he has predicted.
Spurs have beaten us just once at the Emirates in 17 Premier League visits and on many occasions, they had the better team, however, up against this current Arsenal side it would be a huge surprise if they get anything from this game.
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Arsenal should win the NLD against Spurs because:
1, Arsenal is coming off a far better season than Spurs;
2. Arsenal is further along (3+ seasons) in the “process” under Mikel Arteta as manager;
3. Ange Postecoglou has only been manager of Spurs since June 2023, notwithstanding the impact of an excellent coach/manager has been evident;
4. Arsenal is at home;
5. Arsenal has a far deeper squad due to the major financial support given to Arteta by KSE; and
6. Arsenal has a more settled squad than Spurs, particularly given Spurs lost Harry Kane late in the season with no opportunity to spend the funds gained on a replacement or strengthening the squad.
That’s not to say that Arsenal can be complacent. The job that Postecoglou has done revitalising Spurs in such a short period of time has been exceptional; however execution of the style of play is still developing. Some Spurs fans may be getting over excited after the dire football they had seen prior to Ange, but be assured based on his pre match interviews that he has no allusions about the strength of Arsenal and the difficulties he and Spurs faces.
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It’s the NLD, form and stats go out of the window.
Having seen Celtic dozens of times under Postecoglou, Sutton is spot on when he suggests he will not change his attacking philosophy regardless of the opposition or the fact that his side are playing away from home.His 4-3-3 formation is set in stone and with that there will always be opportunities for us to score.Like Sutton, I expect a high scoring match and providing Rice can keep Madison quiet I am confident we can win.
We should beat Spuds, we have a better squad.
It won’t be an easy match for Arsenal. Spurs have had a full week to prepare for it having not been involved in Europe during the week.
But, all told, I expect Arsenal to come away with the three points, which would be great indeed