November 03, 2024

Arsenal vs Tottenham: The Ultimate North London Derby Preview

Arsenal vs Tottenham: The Ultimate North London Derby Preview
File photo/Courtesy

This will be the first time in 38 years that Arsenal will wear their away kit in this fixture away from Emirates stadium.

Sunday 15th September, North London arch rivals Arsenal and Tottenham lock head at the Tottenham stadium in what could be a do or die match. This will be the 175th tie between the two clubs with Arsenal having won 71 of the previous 174 games. 

Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta approaches this fixture with the hopes of a win having not lost a single London derby of the fourteen last season. They managed a 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Emirates stadium while thrashing them 3 -2 at the Tottenham stadium in April. 

However, they face challenges today with captain Martin Ødegaard injured and Declan Rice suspended. Ødegaard will be out for three weeks due to an ankle injury sustained on international duty, while Rice is suspended following a red card in the last match against Brighton. New signing Mikel Merino is also sidelined after a shoulder injury.

The absence of Ødegaard is significant as he has been Arsenal’s most creative force, leading the team in chances created since the start of last season. There is speculation that 17-year-old midfielder Ethan Nwaneri might feature raising curiosity about how Arteta will address the midfield gap.

Tottenham come into the match looking for a win having fallen short to Newcastle in their previous match. The Ange Postecoglou team have only managed one win in the previous three games and a win against their arch rivals would be three points worth it to add to their tally.

The Spurs who finished fifth on the log last season alongside managing only one point against Arsenal will first have to solve their first threat of the match at the training grounds, own goal. They’ve conceded own goals in three consecutive fixtures against the gunners with Hugo Lloris, Christian Romero and Hojbjerg putting into their own net for Arsenal in consecutive games.

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka could be the favorite to score for his considering that he scored home and away last season, but could his defense led by William Saliba deny Heung Min Son a chance to make history? The South Korean loves to net during the derby and its only Harry Kane (14), Emmanuel Adebayo (10) and Bobby Smith (10) have scored more than him in this fixture.

Notably, this will be the first time in 38 years that Arsenal will wear their away kit in this fixture away from Emirates stadium.They have been wearing their trademark red home kit but can’t do so this season due too much white that can potentially lead to a kit clash.