London Derby: Can Arsenal stop rejuvenated Tottenham?
Last season, Arsenal defeated Tottenham twice in the league, giving them the first league double-win against their London rivals since 2013/14.
The six points helped Arsenal finish in second place and enabled them surpass Tottenham in the league standings for the first time since 2015–16.
Last year, a huge 24 points separated second-placed Arsenal from eighth-placed Tottenham, but right now, it’s just goal difference.
With three victories and one a draw each, Tottenham and Arsenal both have 10 points after their first four Premier League games of the 2023/2024 season.
Tottenham opened the season with a tie against Brentford, but are currently marginally higher up the table than Arsenal with a +3 goal difference advantage.
Since then, they have had wins over Burnley, Bournemouth, and Manchester United. Arsenal also have defeated Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in their first two games before drawing with Fulham.
But they recovered with a victory over Manchester United.
The visitors, who overcame Sheffield United last weekend in a mini-miracle, will be optimistic about earning their first league victory at the Emirates since 2010.
Arsenal, on the other hand, demonstrated their superior credentials last Wednesday when they thoroughly outclassed PSV in a 4-0 thrashing to mark their return to the Champions League.
The Gunners shown their strength against teams who give up space during transitions, which puts them in strong position going into the derby.
There will undoubtedly be an exciting duel.
Here are some statistics for Arsenal vs. Tottenham:
This season, Arsenal has scored in every one of their Premier League games.
This season, Tottenham has scored in each of its four Premier League games.
In their last five encounters with Tottenham, Arsenal has won four times.
This season, Arsenal has only recorded one Premier League cleansheet.
In three of their last five games with Tottenham, Arsenal has scored first.
Arsenal vs Tottenham: Time and venue
Kick off is Sunday 24th September, 2023
kick-off time is 14:00 (BST)
Venue is at the Emirates Stadium
Referee is Robert Jones
Arsenal’s recent form
Arsenal 4-0 PSV (20/09) – Champions League
Everton 0-1 Arsenal (17/09) – English Premier League
Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd (03/09) – English Premier League
Arsenal 2-2 Fulham (26/08) – English Premier League
Crystal Palace 0-1 Arsenal (21/08) – English Premier League
Tottenham’s recent form
Tottenham 2-1 Sheffield Utd (16/09) – English Premier League
Burnley 1-5 Tottenham (02/09) – English Premier League
Fulham 1-1 Tottenham (5-4p) – (29/08) – Carabao Cup
Bournemouth 0-2 Tottenham (26/08) – English Premier League
Tottenham 2-0 Man Utd (19/08) – Premier League
Prediction
Just on Wednesday, Arsenal thrashed PSV in the Champions league, and on Sunday, they will face an inform Tottenham team in a London derby. But Spurs, though will need to do significantly better than the Dutch team in preventing Arsenal’s counterattack and protecting their own box.
Under Ange, Tottenham are currently experiencing a wave of momentum, and there’s no doubt that their wide rotations, tenacity without the ball, and swagger in possession will give Arsenal something to consider.
They’ll make it a contest, but Arsenal are gradually becoming a team that can handle any situation, so it will be a bit more difficult for Spurs to win anything this weekend against their local rivals.
I believe the Gunners will smash Ange’s good vibes on Sunday though with a decisive victory.
By Ezeh Chimezie Amos
