I really don’t understand why there is all the doom and gloom from Arsenal fans ahead of the North London Derby just because the Spuds inflicted Chelsea’s first defeat at the weekend. It makes no sense to me at all! Yes they have played well this season, but they have certainly not gone 17 games without defeat, and they have lost to both Liverpool and Man City at home, and to Watford away. We have only lost to Chelsea and City all season in case everyone has forgotten.
Secondly Arsenal are at home with the fanatic Gooners behind them, and although we may have a gruelling trip to the far reaches of Ukraine on Thursday, we are free to play as many reserves as we like, while Tottenham have a crucial match against Inter Milan on Thursday, which could decide whether they join us in the Europa League after Christmas. They can’t afford to rest any players whatsoever.
Our German defender certainly believes we can match our local rivals. “I think we have to compete.” Mustafi said. “Then, of course, when you want to win against Tottenham you know you have to play at your top level. We did that against Liverpool at home, so we know how to compete, we can compete with everyone and I think that we are looking forward to this game. We have another Europa League game in between, so we have to focus on this one as well because it’s an important competition for us. Then the next game after that is Tottenham, a special game for us and for the fans. We’re going to try to get the win at home.”
Why on Earth should a team that hasn’t lost for 17 games (including Liverpool) feel any trepidation at home against our local rivals?
We may not win, but we will play our hearts out and we WILL NOT LOSE!
Sam P