Tottenham vs. Arsenal: North London derby preview

Sunday’s match represents one of the most important North London Derby’s in recent memory, a colossal clash that has far-reaching implications.

A Spurs win will guarantee they finish above their loathed north London rivals for the first time since the 1994/95 campaign. That, however, is an eventuality, a foregone conclusion. At some point in the final month of the season Spurs will confirm their superior status, no matter the outcome on Sunday.

Spurs, with a 14-point buffer, are so far ahead of Arsenal that only a never-seen-before calamitous run-in would keep Tottenham from looking down on the Gunners come season’s end.

We’re the boy proficiently acing advanced calculus while our older, weaker classmate struggles with simple arithmetic.

Ending the 22-year Arsenal reign on Sunday will coincide with finishing once and for all their top-four aspirations. It will also officially mark the seismic football shift in north London. Away with the past – Arsene Wenger and his teams with weak underbellies – and on to the present and the future – Mauricio Pochettino and his vibrant, lively sides.

The tide has officially turned and Sunday’s match will reinforce that argument’s validity.

Pochettino, speaking of Tottenham’s Argentinian gaffer, is the only ever Spurs manager to stay unbeaten in his first five north London derbies. Contrarily, Arsene Wenger hasn’t enjoyed the sweet taste of victory in five North London derbies.

Arsenal’s away form

Wenger’s team is enduring one their worst spells away from the Emirates under his tutelage. This current Gunners squad has no guile or backbone. Before beating lowly Middlesbrough, they conceded three goals in four straight away matches. All of those resulted in defeat. Arsenal were outscored 12-3 in those four encounters.

Arsenal have won two of their last nine matches, both of which against teams – Swansea and Boro – residing in the relegation zone. The Gunners defensive frailties are on display for all to see, as Wenger’s side haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet in five away matches. Swansea were the last host to shoot blanks against a travelling Arsenal.

They’ve only managed two clean sheets in 13 games, further compounding their defensive misgivings. Laurent Koscielny suffered a knee injury against Leicester and is doubtful for Sunday’s game. A massive blow to Wenger, he’s the only somewhat reliable central defender in Arsenal’s ranks. The injury prone Frenchman will face a late fitness test.

Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Son Heung-Min and Christian Eriksen are sitting on pins and needles with anticipation. Particularly Kane, whose five North London derby goals are equalled only by Gareth Bale.

When the Spurs go marching in

You’re probably aware of Spurs dominance in the Premier League since the turn of the year. Their dominance is even more pronounced at White Hart Lane. Can you recall the last time Spurs were defeated at home? We had to source the archives to find this particular answer.

Leicester somehow escaped the Lane with a 1-1 draw two days before Halloween last year. Allowing Leicester to leave the fortress with a share of the spoils is a scarier thought than Hallow’s Eve. Winning 12 consecutive home games and eight on the trot overall, Spurs have more on the line than their impressive winning streaks.

Anything but a win would end Tottenham’s title hopes.

The prospect of Arsenal inflicting such inconceivable damage isn’t worth a second thought. This, with Chelsea travelling to Everton, could be the weekend the tide turns in Spurs’ favour on multiple fronts.