Premier League Points, Pride and Passion Will Make This a Derby to Savour

Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

This is a fixture that has intrigued me since a young age.

My first recollection was an unforgettable League Cup semi-final in 1987 over three games – a tie in which Arsenal never led until the very final moments of the final match.

From the following season, my uncle’s journalism work meant he covered every Spurs home match and the interest grew with two special ‘Gazza’ moments engrained in my mind – one of which was that goal in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final.

The Premier League era has only increased that fascination and this Sunday sees the latest instalment.

After a period in which Arsenal dominated the North London landscape, Spurs have managed to close the gap over the past decade.

But with the season approaching the halfway mark and the Gunners top of the table, can they now throw a spanner in their unlikely title bid with champions Manchester City on their heels?

Talking Points

If they win at Old Trafford on Saturday, they will have closed the gap at the summit to two points which will mean the pressure is firmly on Mikel Arteta’s men when this kicks off on Sunday teatime.

If City do not win the Manchester derby, Arsenal have a great chance to open up a gap with a positive result in the North London equivalent.

Either way, it seems certain they will want to strengthen their forward line during the January transfer window due to the injury sustained by Gabriel Jesus at the World Cup.

Although their results since the restart have not suggested they lack firepower, there is a feeling they need to replace Jesus who is out until at least March.

The club has reportedly submitted two bids for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk to enhance Arteta’s attacking options.

Whether they delve into the market this month or not, few clubs – let alone Arsenal – have the firepower in quite the abundance as the Spurs and England captain Harry Kane, whose record in this fixture is superb.

Earlier this term, he netted his 14^th career goal against Arsenal (half of those have come from the penalty spot).

That spot kick meant he become the first player to net 100 times away from home in the Premier League.

Now on the eve of the return fixture, another record is on the line and the scriptwriters could potentially have another field day.

Indeed, it arguably seems written in the stars that Kane will score on Sunday, given he has now netted 265 goals for Spurs, just one behind the late, great Jimmy Greaves who holds the club record.

For Spurs fans, it would be fitting if he can equal that tally on what will be his 301st Premier League appearance for his beloved ‘lillywhites’.

With talk of returns for Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, and possibly Rodrigo Bentancur following recent injuries, and even a suggestion Brazilian international Richarlison could be fit enough to take a place on the bench, things could look a lot more optimistic for the home side who love nothing more but to defeat the neighbours whose shadow they have lived in for so long.

Like Arsenal, Spurs have also been linked with making a foray into the transfer market in recent days, connected with Sporting Lisbon wing-back Pedro Porro, formerly of City.

Regardless of what happens between now and the end of the month, I am not expecting any new faces to be involved in this contest, just many of the hardened, experienced campaigners who know what a North London derby is all about – winning!

History

Their clashes have produced so many Premier League highlights you could write a book.

I remember a fair few of them in recent years, including a classic four seasons ago at the Emirates.

Earlier this season, with both sides flying high, Arsenal took the plaudits with a 3-1 home win secured by goals from Thomas Partey, Jesus and Granit Xhaka, all meaning Kane’s first half penalty was just a consolation.

Last season’s corresponding fixture, however, provide crucial.

With 10 days of the league campaign remaining, Spurs turned on the style and ran out 3-0 winners with Kane (two, one penalty) and Son Heung-Min putting the Gunners to the sword.

It was a result which ultimately saw them pip their North London rivals to the fourth and final Champions League spot.

Overall, Arsenal have won 85 games to Spurs’ 67 with a further 54 being draws.

Betting Tip

Only two of the last 13 meetings have ended level pegging and that has crossed my mind again.

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds offer the draw @ 3.35 and make Arsenal favourites 1X2 @ 2.17 compared to the home side 1X2 @ 3.20.

Asian Handicap betting options include Spurs +0.25 @ 1.99 and Arsenal -0.50 @ 2.17.

For a re-run of the meeting last season, then Correct Score 3-0 is available @ 55.00, while a repeat of the league clash from just over three months ago is on offer @ 15.50 with Correct Score 1-3.

I think it will be close but I’m edging towards the hosts, especially if key men return, with a *** prediction of Asian Handicap Spurs 0.00 @ 2.42.

 

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