The North London derby

First ever meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur was on November 19, 1887. The game was called off with fifteen minutes of play left due to darkness and Spurs were leading 2-1.  They played their first completed match in February the following year, but Spurs were only able to field nine players and lost 6-2.

The clubs have met a total of 183 times with Arsenal winning 80 times to Spurs’ 62 times. The remaining 51 games ended in draws.

For over 20 years, Arsenal have dominated the derby, they have always ended the season above Spurs on the league table. That changed last season when Spurs finished second and their local rivlas finished a disappointing fifth, missing out on a Champions League place.  Spurs are already four points ahead of Arsenal this season and they are favourites to finish the season above the Gunners come May 2018. For about the first time too, Spurs are the favourites to win Saturday’s derby, even though it is taking place at the Emirates. Journalist, Piers Morgan, an Arsenal fan told SkySports that he speaks to a lot of fellow Arsenal fans on a daily basis and that not many of them believe that Arsenal are a better team than Tottenham Spurs. A lot of neutrals feel that way too.

In the last six derby games, Arsenal have not won once. They lost two and drew four. The battle at the Emirates on Saturday gives Arsene Wenger the chance to shut his critics up. If the Gunners are able to win the game in a convincing manner, the world would sit up and take notice. The world will believe there is still life in the old dog. But if Spurs were to win, especially comfortably, it may spell the beginning of the end for Wenger at the Emirates. As it is now, a lot of Arsenal fans believe he has overstayed his welcome and a loss to the old rivals at home will be another nail in his coffin.

The main battle will be fought in the midfield and it seems the two clubs are equally matched in that department, the worry now is whether Arsenal’s shaky defence will be able to contain the magical trio of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. One good thing though is that Shkodran Mustafi is in contention to shore up the Arsenal defence. Up front for Arsenal, Olivier Giroud is ruled out but Danny Welbeck is considered fit enough to take his place. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez were practically passengers in the game against Man City just before the international break. If ever there is a time to stand up and be counted, this is it. They can’t afford to let Arsenal fans down. I figure this game will end in a draw, but don’t count on it because Arsenal now have a secret weapon and he is the magical Alex Iwobi.