The second north London derby of the season promises to be fiercely contested, with Arsenal aiming to get their Premier League title push back on track.
Tottenham were hammered 4-1 at the Emirates in the reverse fixture, but Igor Tudor is now at the helm and Spurs will be hoping to move clear of relegation danger.
Selections
- Over 2.5 goals @ 22/25
- Archie Gray to be shown a card @ 12/5
- Jurrien Timber over 0.5 shots on target @ 19/5
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Goals to flow in north London
Roll the clock back a few days and the north London derby was looking like a routine three points for Arsenal. However, the Gunners gave up a two-goal lead when drawing 2-2 at bottom club Wolves on Wednesday and the pressure is now firmly on.
Add to that Igor Tudor replacing Thomas Frank in the Tottenham dugout, and it’s suddenly looking like a potentially tricky fixture for the Premier League leaders.
Arsenal’s performance against Wolves was way off the pace and nowhere near what will be needed to win the title.
It’s more difficult to know what to expect from Spurs in Tudor’s first game in charge, but aside from winning matches and improved performances, going on the front foot would be an easy step in the right direction for the Croatian.
Arsenal have seen 33 goals scored in their last nine games and the Gunners did crush Spurs 4-1 at the Emirates earlier this season.
Tottenham have allowed 13 strikes in their last six Premier League games and have conceded at least twice in all of those matches.
Perhaps better can be expected under Tudor, but Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso, Lucas Bergvall and Cristian Romero remain sidelined for Spurs and that improvement may be a little further away.
Backing over 2.5 goals is the best way to play Sunday’s north London derby.
Backing a Gray booking could pay
Tottenham will be without four key defenders for this derby clash as well as midfield men Bentancur and Bergvall.
Those absentees mean that youngster Archie Gray is set for a start in the north London derby.
The versatile 19-year-old could be used at full-back, in midfield or potentially in a back-three, with Tudor yet to decide on his tactical set up.
Gray has been booked six times in his last 16 Tottenham appearances and the 19-year-old is likely to have to get through plenty of defensive work against Arsenal.
Take Gray to be shown a card at 12/5.
Timber can chop down rivals
Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz could return to boost Arsenal’s attacking options on Sunday, but Jurrien Timber rates a bet to have at least one shot on target.
The Dutchman is averaging 0.95 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season and he also carries a threat at set-pieces.
Tottenham have major defensive problems, a long injury list and Timber can carry an attacking threat in north London.
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.