Arsenal have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League going into Gameweek 12 and the Gunners will be hoping to at least maintain their advantage this weekend.
However, there is the small matter of the north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday and the fierce rivalry will carry even more significance with Mikel Arteta’s men pushing for the title.
Selections
- Under 2.5 goals @ 26/25
- Arsenal to win to nil @ 11/10
- Richarlison to be shown a card @ 3/1
Cautious approach likely in key contest
Arsenal's title challenge has been built on a rock-solid defence and Arteta is unlikely to take any risks when the Gunners take on their fierce rivals.
The Gunners have conceded only two goals in their last nine matches and, while Arsenal will never want to give anything away to Spurs, injuries could mean that Arteta takes a more pragmatic approach.
Key centre-back Gabriel joins Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres on the sidelines and there are further injury concerns for the Gunners.
Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori picked up knocks on international duty and could both miss the visit of Spurs.
A weakened defence and no fit striker is not conducive to goals and under 2.5 looks a play on Sunday.
Tottenham have struggled to find their goalscoring groove and it’s only nine strikes in six games for the Lilywhites.
Spurs’ expected goals total of 0.05, in their 1-0 home loss to Chelsea, was the lowest they have ever recorded in a Premier League match and it’s hard to see Thomas Frank’s side getting much joy against a mean Arsenal defence.
Gunners can stand firm
Not only have Arsenal conceded just two goals in their last nine matches, they have kept a clean sheet in eight of those contests.
The north Londoners have kept the opposition out in 13 of their 17 games all told this term and the defensive efforts of Arteta’s side are remarkable.
The Gunners have won eight Premier League matches this season and seven of those victories have come without conceding.
Spurs have won only two of their last seven contests, the Lilywhites have failed to find the net in three of those matches and scoring at the Emirates could prove beyond Frank’s side.
Richarlison unlikely to keep his cool
Spurs have their own injury issues, with Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison on the sidelines.
Richarlison looks set to continue in attack for Tottenham and the red-hot atmosphere of a north London derby isn’t best suited to an ill-disciplined performer.
The Brazilian has been booked three times in his last six club appearances and that’s from a player who is in the team to score goals.
At 3/1, Richarlison looks an excellent bet to be shown a card at the Emirates.
The History of the North London Derby
Few fixtures in English football carry the intensity, emotion, and significance of the North London Derby. Contested between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, the rivalry is one of the Premier League’s most fiercely fought battles. The rivalry began as a Geographical dispute before League politics pushed this rivalry to evolve into a century-long saga defined by drama, unforgettable matches, and contrasting footballing identities. The North London Derby is far more than just a game - it is a symbol of local pride, history, and the ever-changing fortunes of two legendary football clubs.
Origins of the North London Derby
The roots of the derby stretch back to the early 20th century. Arsenal - originally founded in 1886 in Woolwich, South London, relocated to Highbury in 1913. This move placed them just a few miles from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane, instantly creating tension between the clubs. Spurs supporters saw Arsenal’s arrival as an intrusion into their territory; a new competitor had suddenly appeared on their doorstep.
But the real spark that ignited the rivalry came in 1919. When football resumed after World War I, the First Division was expanded from 20 to 22 teams. Tottenham, who had finished bottom of the First Division before the war, expected to be reinstated. Instead, it was Arsenal—who had only finished fifth in the Second Division who were controversially voted into the top tier. Rumours of lobbying, backroom influence, and injustice circulated for decades, creating resentment among Spurs fans that still forms part of the derby’s folklore.
Establishing 'Arsenal' and 'Tottenham Hotspur'
The first official North London Derby took place in 1914, but the rivalry truly blossomed after Arsenal’s relocation. The 1920s and 1930s saw the fixture gain prominence, though neither club had yet emerged as a dominant force. That changed with the arrival of Herbert Chapman at Arsenal. Under his management, Arsenal became a major power, winning multiple league titles and establishing themselves as one of English football’s leading clubs. During this era, the balance of power tilted firmly toward the red half of North London, shaping early expectations of the derby.
Tottenham, meanwhile, became known for their stylish, attacking brand of football - an identity that would continue throughout the century. Their Double-winning team of 1960–61 remains one of the most celebrated in English football history, and while derby matches remained tight and competitive, Arsenal generally held the upper hand in league finishes.
War Ends but in North London - Tensions only rose
By the post-war years, North London had grown significantly, and so had the passion surrounding the fixture. Local bragging rights were increasingly important, and derby days were heated both on and off the pitch. Legendary players emerged on both sides: Danny Blanchflower, Jimmy Greaves, and Glenn Hoddle for Spurs; Cliff Bastin, Liam Brady, and David Rocastle for Arsenal.
One of the most memorable matches of the era occurred in May 1971. Arsenal travelled to White Hart Lane needing a win or a goalless draw to clinch the league title. They won 1–0, securing the first part of their historic Double. For Spurs supporters, witnessing their rivals celebrate on their own pitch was painful - a moment that still fuels the bitterness of the derby.
Arsenal’s Modern Era Dominance Leads to Iconic Clashes
The late 1990s and early 2000s ushered in a new chapter of the rivalry, defined largely by Arsène Wenger’s transformational influence at Arsenal. With stars like Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal regularly outperformed Spurs in the league and enjoyed lengthy unbeaten runs in derby matches. The famous “St. Totteringham’s Day”—a tongue-in-cheek celebration among Arsenal fans marking the day Spurs could no longer mathematically finish above them—became an annual event.
Yet Spurs were far from passive rivals. The arrival of managers like Martin Jol, Harry Redknapp, and later Mauricio Pochettino reinvigorated the club. Their 5–1 victory over Arsenal in the 2008 League Cup semi-finals was a powerful statement, ending nearly nine years without a win against their neighbours. Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and Rafael van der Vaart further elevated the intensity of the clashes, restoring balance and competitiveness to the derby.
New Stadiums Build New Narratives
The Premier League era has seen both clubs undergo significant transformation, both on and off the pitch. Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, ending more than nine decades of history in their beloved home. Tottenham, after years of redevelopment discussions, opened their state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019. These changes brought new energy, financial power, and ambition to both sides of the derby.
On the field, the rivalry has remained electrifying. Memorable encounters include Arsenal’s 5–2 victories in 2012 and 2013, Tottenham’s title-chasing 2016–17 season when they finished above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years, and intense, high-scoring affairs featuring stars like Harry Kane—now the all-time top scorer in North London Derby history - alongside Mesut Özil, Alexis Sánchez, and Son Heung-min.
The North London Derby
More than 100 years after Arsenal moved north of the river, the North London Derby remains one of football’s most anticipated fixtures. Every match carries the burden of history and the promise of new memories. Whether the teams are competing for titles, European places, or simply local bragging rights, the stakes are always high.
New managers, emerging talents, and shifting fortunes ensure that the rivalry never grows stale. Each season brings new narratives, new controversies, and new heroes. But at its core, the North London Derby remains consistent in one regard: it is a match defined by passion, rivalry, and the deep-rooted pride of two fanbases who believe North London belongs to them.
In a sport that thrives on competition and emotion, the North London Derby stands out as a fixture where history and heart collide. It is not just part of English football history—it is one of its defining chapters.