We have not had to wait long for the first big derby of the season in the Premier League. The North London derby will take place on Sunday afternoon as Arsenal welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium.
This is a massive match for both teams and not only because they want to get one over their rivals. Arsenal lost last time out at Liverpool 3-1 and need to win to keep in touching distance of the leaders. Spurs suffered a very disappointing home defeat at the hands of Newcastle United and cannot afford to lose two games in succession.
Arsenal were always going to be up against it last week when they travelled to Anfield to play Liverpool. Their record has not been good but Arsenal did OK for much of the game, with individual errors being their downfall in some key situations during the 3-1 defeat.
That loss comes on the back of a decent start to the season for Arsenal which saw them win 1-0 at Newcastle United and defeat Burnley 2-1 at home.
Trends show Arsenal have a good record at home in the Premier League. They have lost only one of their last nineteen home matches and have won ten of their last twelve. The Gunners have managed to score 2 or more goals in ten of their last eleven home Premier League games.
Another classic from the archives...What a strike from Liam Brady in the north London derby back in 1978 😍 pic.twitter.com/QoCaU2pl0F— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 28, 2019
Another classic from the archives...What a strike from Liam Brady in the north London derby back in 1978 😍 pic.twitter.com/QoCaU2pl0F
Spurs were poor last weekend at home to Newcastle United. It was a game they were expected to win comfortably but they could not break down the visitors stubborn defence. The fact Christian Eriksen was on the bench did not help matters, especially with the crowd and there are rumours there is discontent behind the scenes.
Nonetheless, Spurs have already shown what they are capable of away from home in the league this season when they picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at defending champions, Manchester City. That result followed a 3-1 home win over newly promoted Aston Villa, so it is not all doom and gloom at the club.
However, away form is not great and Spurs have lost six of their last seven away Premier League matches. The defeats have come at Burnley, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bournemouth.
Looking ahead to the team news and Spurs are expected to be without Ryan Sessegnon and Juan Foyth due to injury. Kyle Walker-Peters is a doubt with a hamstring problem but Dele Alli could return to the team.
Arsenal are without three players, all of which are defenders. Konstantinos Mavropanos has a groin injury, Hector Bellerin is recovering from cruciate ligament damage and new signing Kieran Tierney has a hernia problem.
This should be a great game and both teams have the potential to find the back of the net. Given Arsenal’s strength at home and Spurs’ poor run of away form, Arsenal to win with both teams scoring looks a good outcome.