One of the most anticipated clashes in the Premier League is set to take place this weekend as Arsenal lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur in what could be one of the most fiercely competitive games of the season.
The two teams have been labeled as genuine title contenders, but Spurs’ dip in form of late—they are without a win in their last six games—and the Gunners’ tremendous form means that Wenger’s men go in as favourites in this match.
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And here are five things to watch out for in the North London derby.
#1 Spurs’ mean defence v Arsenal’s cohesive attack
Tottenham Hotspurs have been astute defensively. With just five goals conceded from their first ten league games, it seems as though Mauricio Pochettino has built a team capable of absorbing pressure from the oppositions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s attacking chemistry is as sublime as it gets. For the first time in a long while, almost every Arsenal attacker seems to be at their best. The level of understanding between star players, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez seems to be at an all-time high—and the Gunners are reaping the reward for it.
With 23 goals from the first ten games, nine more than Spurs, Arsenal seem to be in some scoring touch. However, they will be up against Tottenham, the team that has conceded the least amount of goals this season with only a mere five goals allowed.
Hence, it will be a battle of defense versus attack. And, by the looks of the current forms of these two respective teams, Arsenal’s attack is the favourite to win.
#2 Vincent Janssen bursting to life
When Tottenham Hotspurs signed Vincent Janssen from the Eredivisie, many fans had hoped that he would turn out to be like their best signing from the Dutch league, Christian Eriksen. However, thus far, the Netherland international has failed to hit the highs that he achieved last season.
With Harry Kane’s injury, the former AZ Alkmaar player has been handed the responsibility to lead the line on his own. However, his return of just one goal—that, too, via a penalty—is a very poor return for someone Spurs spent £19 million.
Having said that, Janssen is someone who is known to grow into the fray as the season progresses. Even with his former club, AZ, he scored most of his 31 goals in the second half of the season. His work ethic means that he could eventually adapt to the difficulties of the Premier League.
And the North London Derby could be the beginning of that rise.
#3 Heated environment
North London derbies are perhaps the most exciting derbies in the Premier League. Whenever the two London sides lock horns, entertainment is pretty much guaranteed. As the tempers will be flaring and the pressure will be soaring, the match is expected to be filled with intense clashes of wrath.
Both sets of fans despise each other and would do anything to get one over their arch rivals. Spurs fans, the more oppressed of the two, would like their team to make up for the embarrassment of last season where Spurs’ 5-1 loss to Newcastle United on the final day of the season let the Gunners finish above their rivals on the number two spot.
When it comes to derbies, the surrounding is always heated. With the likes of Granit Xhaka and Erik Dier — players known for their tough-tackling approach on the pitch—facing off against each other, we can expect things to boil up over something as small as a mistimed challenge.
#4 Ozil magic
Alexis Sanchez might be taking most of the plaudits for his apparent flamboyance, something that could never fail to fall under the gaze of the spectators, but the man who is just as important, but goes on about pulling ths strings from right behind, is Mesut Ozil.
The German joined Arsenal in 2013 after a great tenure with Real Madrid and has been a mainstay at the club ever since. He made a slow start to life in England, but once he got the grip of the league, he has been ever consistent and has adapted his own game to bring the best out of the star duo of Alexis Sanchez.
Even though he is accused of going missing on big occasions, North London derbies often provide us with heroes. Hence, keep an eye out for him, or you could miss some magical moments from the Wizard of Oz.
#5 Goals
The trademark of this encounter, goals adorn this clash like jewelry cloaks a stereotype South East Asian woman on her wedding day. North London Derbies have always provided a lot of goals.
Indeed, only on four occasions did a Premier League North London derby end without a goal being scored by either one of the teams, with the last one being back in 2009. It is for this very reason that this game is one of the most pleasurable to watch in the Premier League.
With Arsenal’s attack finding cohesion and random players’ knack of becoming a hero in such encounters, we can be assured that goals will a-blooming!
