NLD#1 Arsenal vs Tottenham Preview and Predictions

Whether or not all the players agree, fans know the North London Derby is more than a football match, it is a battle for bragging rights across town. This season’s first of at least 3 NLDs promises an entertaining match between two sides that are both playing with some good form as Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in the Barclay’s Premier League.

After dropping their first two games of the season, Arsenal come into the NLD on quite a roll, unbeaten in their last 19 matches, 15 wins and 4 draws. The Gunners currently sit in 5th place in League on 27 points from 8 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. Meanwhile Tottenham, has strung together an impressive start to the season with 30 points from the first 13 matches good enough for 3rd in the Premier League. With bragging rights and a top four position on the line, what can we expect when Spurs and Gunners face off?

Recent History of Tottenham and Arsenal

Tottenham have played Arsenal more than any team with Sunday marking the 181st meeting between the two clubs and the 163rd in the Premier League. Arsenal hold a comfortable lead in both the premier league and overall records with 17 more wins than Spurs from the previous 180 meetings. That said, much like Chelsea, who Spurs beat last week, more recently the pendulum seems to have swung in favor of Spurs.

Since Mauricio Pochettino has taken over, Arsenal have managed only 1 victor over Spurs, last seasons 2-0 victory on matchday 12. The other seven matches have seen 3 Tottenham victories, all home games, and 4 draws. Of course, this season- again like for Chelsea- sees a new coach at the helm for our derby opponents with Unai Emery in his first season in charge of Arsenal.

Emery and Pochettino have some previous history, with both coaches plying their trade in La Liga and facing off several times as managers of Valencia and Espanyol, respectively. In fact, things have almost been a bit of a love fest this week, with both managers gushing about one another, and making sure not to provide any bulletin board material.

Tottenham and Arsenal on Form

As previously mentioned, Arsenal has been on quite a roll. While all four draws have come in their last half-dozen games, 19 without a loss is impressive. Further, Arsenal have 1 less loss than Spurs in League and share a +12-goal differential with Tottenham.

The Gunners have been led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has bagged 8 of Arsenal’s 28 goals in league this term. Alexandre Lacazette, who is just returning from injury has added 5 goals in League. Hector Bellerin and the seemingly forgotten man Aaron Ramsey are tied for the team lead with 4 assists each.

Defensively Arsenal is led by Shkodran Mustafi, who leads the team in tackles, aerial battles won, clearances, and interceptions. The good news for Spurs fans, is Mustafi isn’t the fastest player on the pitch and losses his cool from time to time. Expect to see a lot of Mustafi on Sunday as Spurs will look to get in behind the German and pressure him with the ball.

Tottenham Hotspur seem to be picking up momentum at this point in the season. Despite more losses than Arsenal, have won more games has Spurs looking to stretch their lead in the standings on their London rivals.

While Harry Kane’s 7 goals in League for Spurs is just behind Aubameyang, Tottenham only have 23 goals as a team this term, as the squad is still searching to fully click. However, after six straight wins following the 1-0 loss to Manchester City, Spurs seem to be finding that gear.

More importantly for Spurs, some of their key players are continuing to return to health and form This includes Christen Eriksen who scored mid-week from the bench in the Champions League against Inter and Dele Alli who is beginning to look like a terror for opponents again. Throw two healthy and relatively fresh speeders in Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura, and it seems Spurs offensively is ready to bloom, even though Erik Lamela, may miss Sunday’s game with a thigh knock.

Additionally, having Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose available on the team sheet is a boost for Spurs, as minutes accumulate for Ben Davies and Toby Alderweireld. Not saying we will see Toby get a day off, particularly with Davison Sanchez injured, but at least we have options still.

At this point what we are getting are two teams that are bitter rivals, both playing well, but not quite to the level they want. Should be a barn burner of a match, and the two sides will do it again in a few weeks in the Carabao Cup.

Prediction Time

We had so much fun predicting the outcome last week here at Hotspur HQ, we are doing it again this week. Enjoy!

Barrett Rouen

Arsenal 1 Spurs 2

Finally, the London derby is going to be a quality game again, but Spurs ultimately have more quality than Arsenal and win out while building momentum for the future.

Zaph Hutson

Arsenal 2 Spurs 3

It is true that both Aubameyang and Lacazette should be healthy enough to play. Still, Arsenal’s defense has allowed as many goals as Newcastle this season. Harry Kane along with the well-rested Son, Eriksen, and Dier should give Tottenham the edge

Aaron Coe

Arsenal 1 Spurs 4

I know Arsenal has been on ‘form’, but there defense has no answer for the suddenly healthy and clicking Tottenham attack. A Harry Kane brace to start and end the scoring has a Dele Alli second and Lucas Moura third in between for the four Tottenham goals. Arsenal steals one with a lame penalty, but it doesn’t matter as Spurs roll and paint North London blue.