Premier League: The Stakes are Huge in this North London Derby…

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

They usually are, of course, when Arsenal meet Tottenham Hotspur, one of the biggest matches in the Premier League calendar. But this clash, at the Emirates on Wednesday somehow seems more crucial.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are chasing Liverpool at the top of the table and the Premier League 2025 betting odds consistently insist Arsenal are the biggest threat to Arne Slot’s Reds. But Arsenal have been prone to the odd blip and, as we speak, they are without a win in three games in all competitions. I’m not suggesting their season is falling apart, far from it, but disappointing cup results and a six point deficit in the league is ramping up the pressure.

Meanwhile Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, while always affable, has been under increasing focus as his team has floundered in the wrong half of the league table; but the past week has looked a little brighter for the Aussie coach and his team.            

Both Arsenal and Spurs had difficult afternoons on Sunday, the Gunners going out of the FA Cup on penalties to fierce rivals Manchester United while Tottenham needed extra time to see off National League side Tamworth. Now it’s back to the bread and butter of the league it will be interesting to see how the two teams respond.    

Talking Points

Mis-firing Gunners need to keep calm

Out of the FA Cup and in peril in the Carabao Cup, 2-0 down at half time and with a daunting trip to Newcastle to face, it’s been a bad week for Arsenal after they had to settle for a draw on their visit to Brighton last time out in the league. Kai Havertz is top scoring with seven league goals but he missed a hatful of sitters in the FA Cup exit to Manchester United and, to make matters worse, the German forward had his penalty saved in the shootout. After the Red Devils had gone down to ten men when Diogo Dalot was sent off, Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard saw his normal time penalty saved with the scores at 1-1. 

The Gunners dominated the game throughout, with 70 per cent possession and 87 per cent passing accuracy to United’s 69 per cent, as well as winning the shot count by 26 to seven, but they still went out of the cup and that after only scoring one goal in their pervious two outings. Arsenal are clearly missing the injured winger Bukayo Saka and desperately need a striker who knows where the net is, and that is something Arteta is keen to address in the transfer window.     

Arsenal fans will keep a close watch on the Premier League 2025 updates on Tuesday when Manchester City travel to Brentford and, in a fascinating clash the leaders Liverpool head to this season’s surprise package Nottingham Forest, currently sitting in third place. But, whatever happens in West London and Nottingham, Arteta’s men need to keep their heads when they face Spurs, particularly in front of goal.     

More good than bad news for Spurs

Things haven’t gone well for Postecoglou this season, particularly in terms of injuries, but he’ll be pleased with the outcome of one of his moves this week. New goalkeeper signing Antonin Kinsky was thrown in at the deep end just four days after he arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The former Slavia Prague man performed brilliantly in the nets in the 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Liverpool and was sound again in the FA Cup victory against Tamworth.

18 year old Lucas Bergvall had a memorable game against Liverpool, scoring a superbly taken winner, though the midfielder was maybe lucky to have avoided a second yellow card in the game. And the creative focal point James Maddison is in fine form with eight goals and four assists, while up front Dominic Solanke is finding his feet with seven goals and Heung-Min Son is back from injury.

Key defender Micky van de Ven could be available by the end of January, earlier than expected, but midfield ace Rodrigo Bentancur will be missing after he sustained a head injury against the Reds.

Maybe, just maybe, the tide is turning in Tottenham.   

History

Arsenal are ahead of Tottenham by 30 wins to 16 in all competitions since 1993 and they are unbeaten at home to Spurs on the last five occasions, though this match ended 2-2 last season. When Arteta’s men visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in September the Gunners won 1-0 thanks to a Gabriel header from a Saka corner. 

With three wins, one draw and two defeats from the last six Arsenal have been stronger than Spurs who have picked up two wins, one draw and three defeats; though Tottenham have won their last two while the Gunners are three without a win. But, with a home record of six wins and three draws Arsenal have been very solid at the Emirates.    

Betting Tip

The Gunners are hot favourites, at SBOTOP odds of 1.35, to win the derby with Spurs at 6.08 and the Draw is at 4.55 and, for a long shot alternative, a 3-1 home win is at odds of 9.44. But I think a safer bet is a game with goals…if the Gunners find their shooting boots!

 

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