Arsenal v Tottenham – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Arsenal host Tottenham in the English Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening. Both sides have won matches by 1-0 score-lines this season whilst also suffering heavy defeats with ten men. Arsenal’s win in March ended a four-match unbeaten run in the North London derby for Spurs. Neither side is in free-flowing scoring form but six of the last seven league meetings have seen one of the two sides met at least twice.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal lost their opening match 2-0 to Brentford before a meek surrender to lose 2-0 at home to Chelsea. The Gunners seemed to get a confidence-boosting 6-0 win at West Brom in the Carabao Cup but were abject in lost 5-0 at Man City after that. They were playing with ten men for a large part of the match.

After the return of some of their best defenders, Arsenal has picked up consecutive wins with clean sheets albeit against two struggling teams in Norwich and Burnley. Both were beaten 1-0 in the relatively solid display that lacked creativity.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta doubts left-back Kieran Tierney. If the Scot misses out then Nuno Tavares could be thrust into this derby. Arsenal used alone holding player in Thomas Party at Burnley with Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe further forward. Albert Lokonga could be recalled for greater defensive solidity whilst Granit Xhaka is available again too.

Further forward, both Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe have been struggling for form this season so one could drop to the bench if Smith Rowe moves wider and Lokonga or Xhaka comes in. Aaron Ramsdale should keep his place in goal in preference to Bernd Leno.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners will be hugely motivated for this match with it being a North London derby in front of their fans after such a long time without supporters. Arteta’s side looks to play on the front foot but lacks creativity and scoring threat at times.

If Arsenal scores first, they could go into their shell and even introduce extra defensive reinforcements to protect a lead.

Tottenham Form

Spurs started well results-wise under Nuno with a 1-0 win against City and 1-0 away wins at Wolves and Watford even if they required some fortune in those victories. A poor 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace followed despite the match being 0-0 after 75 minutes before a red card for Spurs.

In their last league match, Spurs played well in the first half but crumbled in the second period to Chelsea and lost 3-0 by full time. A 2-2 Conference League draw at Rennes came before that with many of the best XI rested.

Tottenham Team News

Nuno had close to his best XI against Chelsea with Heung-Min Son back from injury and the three quarantine players in Gio Lo Celso, Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero are available again. Japhet Tanganga returns to the reckoning for his one but maybe a substitute.

Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura are doubtful which limits the side’s pace in forwarding areas. Lo Celso may again start the right-hand side. Bryan Gil is another option but isn’t expected to be thrown into such a big game from the start.

Tottenham Motivation

Tottenham surprisingly pressed high against Chelsea, looking a threat, but burnt out badly in the second half. They may again look for a fast start against Arsenal, look to get in front, and then protect their lead. Nuno’s sides are adept at ceding possession and countering at speed.

Spurs would probably be quite satisfied with a draw from this match but are not expected to settle for one until the second half.

Key Stats

5 of the last 6 PL meetings between these sides have seen both teams scoring

Arsenal have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 home PL matches

Arsenal have lost 3 of their last 5 PL matches

Spurs have conceded 8 goals in their last 3 matches in the PL & Conference League

Arsenal are aiming for back-to-back PL wins over Spurs for the first time since 2013/14

With 11 goals, Kane is the highest scorer in north-London derby history

Verdict

This match is impossible to predict. Despite the sides’ ability to get narrow wins or get thrashed, I am tipping this to end with both teams scoring and possibly in a draw.