There’s a great paradox about the north London derby that rings true for both Tottenham and Arsenal fans; it means more to them than any other game of the season, and yet nobody actually manages to enjoy it.
Simply too much is riding on the rivalry these days for it to be anything other than 90 minutes of stress and apprehension.
Having taken four points from two games against Manchester United and Liverpool, Spurs sit four clear of the Gunners in fifth and sixth respectively.
In both 2006 and 2013, the two club’s battle for the Champions League went down to the final day of the season, so in some ways, this is familiar territory. The only difference is that this time, Spurs are ever so slightly further away, location-wise.
And speaking of territory, there are few places Arsenal enjoy playing more than at Wembley. They are unbeaten in nine games there, stretching back seven years, winning a trio of FA Cups there since 2014.
Despite early talk of a curse, Tottenham’s recent record at the national stadium is also very impressive. Only Chelsea have beaten them in the league – a 2-1 defeat which came back in August – and they have overcome Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. This is set to be a similarly memorable occasion.
Arsenal generally do not travel well. Since the start of 2018, they have suffered upsets to Swansea City and Nottingham Forest, and have only won three away league games all season.
Last weekend, new signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan impressed as they beat a hapless Everton 5-1. As for Tottenham, it’s difficult to know where to begin when recounting their last league outing.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side – and in particular, the manager himself – have been painted as the villains in the wake of their dramatic 2-2 draw at Anfield. Erik Lamela, Harry Kane, and Dele Alli were all accused of diving, a dark art which the Argentine insists is a “minimal detail”. Interestingly, Wenger told his press conference on Thursday that English players were now the masters of diving – who could he possibly have been talking about?
Le Professeur will not need reminding that he never beat Pochettino in the Premier League at White Hart Lane, Spurs winning two and drawing one of the last three derbies in N17.
Team news:
Pochettino has confirmed that new signing Lucas Moura is in contention to make his debut, but he has not yet decided whether Toby Alderweireld will make his first Premier League appearance since October having come through 90 minutes in the FA Cup replay win over Newport County.
Petr Cech may not be risked after picking up a calf knock against Everton, but Nacho Monreal seems to have overcome an illness. He could be joined on the bench by Danny Welbeck, who is also fit.
Expected line-ups:
Tottenham: Lloris, Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dembele, Dier, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Ramsey, Xhaka, Ozil, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang
Did you know:
Anthony Taylor will be officiating, a referee who has all too recent history with Wenger. The Gunners boss earned a ban for his behaviour towards him against Burnley last season.
Prediction:
While Spurs won’t have welcomed having to play Newport again in midweek, it may have actually done them a favour as several first-team players were given much-needed minutes. In theory, Arsenal should be fresher, but their record on the road does not bode well for them.
Harry Kane has already scored six goals in this fixture and after bagging his 100th Premier League strike against Liverpool, the England international is easily a match for Arsenal’s erratic defence. That said, former Borussia Dortmund pairing Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang should seriously test Tottenham.
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
