⚕️ Team news
Arsenal
No fresh injury concerns. Bernd Leno, Gabriel Martinelli, Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers are long-term absentees while Mesut Ozil faces a fitness test before the clash. Again.
Eddie Nketiah is suspended after seeing red against Leicester. Matteo Guendouzi is not expected to feature due to his row with Mikel Arteta.
Tottenham
Spurs are going to face Arsenal without two first-team players. Eric Dier is unavailable through suspension while Dele Alli sustained a hamstring injury.
⚽ Possible Arsenal line-up
The Gunners have fully embraced a 3-4-3 system proposed by Arteta so we do not expect the team to deviate from it on Sunday.
Nicolas Pepe is expected to be given a nod: he is fresh and is probably raring to go. This will see either Bukayo Saka or Alex Lacazette benched; given the youngster's brilliant form, we would prefer him to start over the Frenchman.
Martinez; Bellerin, Mustafi, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Pepe, Aubameyang, Saka
🧮 Stats you need to know (via Opta, Tribuna.com and BBC)
- Contrary to what many say, this is not the first time the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosts a North London derby.
- In November last year, Arsenal Women beat Spurs Ladies 2-0 in front of 38,000 fans at the New White Hart Lane.
- Mikel Arteta triumphed in 5 North London derbies as a player (2 draws, 2 losses). He does have some fond memories of beating Spurs.
- Tottenham have conceded the third-highest number of goals (6) which have been later overruled by VAR.
- The Gunners are without a win at Tottenham's home ground since March 2014.
- Jose Mourinho has never lost a home game against Arsenal.
- Both Arteta and Mourinho will have their first North London derby in charge of their sides.
- The last time the Gunners and the Lilywhites locked horns with managers with no previous derby experience in charge of both North London teams took place in September 1986, in George Graham's first season at Highbury. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
🔮 Predictions
Michael Owen (Bet Victor): Spurs 2-1 Arsenal
"Arsenal’s good run of three consecutive Premier League wins which propelled them up the table, came to an end against a resolute Leicester City on Tuesday night in a 1-1 draw but that won’t have dented their confidence or their hopes of a place in next season’s Europa League.
"Tottenham were held to a lacklustre 0-0 draw by Bournemouth last time out and look devoid of goals and confidence. They are still in the hunt for a Europa League place but Jose Mourinho has a huge job on his hands if he is to get them back to challenging at the top of the table.
"This North London derby is always a feisty affair with seven penalties in the last seven Premier League meetings between the two. However, without the usual fervent fans, I expect this to be a much tamer encounter although I do expect goals."
Mark Lawrenson (BBC): Spurs 2-0 Arsenal
"Both of these teams are in mid-table, and only on the fringes of the race for the Champions League spots - who would have thought that at the start of the season?
"I think that says it all about where they are at right now. They both have flaws, but I'd still say Spurs are more solid."
Charlie Nicholas (Sky Sports): Spurs 1-2 Arsenal
"This is a game where they will both look at each other and realise they have become average sides. From an Arsenal perspective, they are improving. It is slow and not overly attractive, despite playing decent going forwards.
"Tottenham are going backwards. There is no team pattern, but the defence changes and they keep a clean sheet. This is a team under Jose Mourinho which does not have any identity. It is hard work and they are grafting but it isn't working.
"Tottenham could raise their game, but Arsenal will be dangerous on the counter-attack. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will both play as Eddie Nketiah is suspended, but I do think Arsenal could see them off."
📜Form
Arsenal: DWWWW
Tottenham: DWLWD
💬 Managers' quotes
Arsenal, Mikel Arteta (via Arsenal FC):
"They have had some ups and downs but overall you can clearly see what he [Mourinho] wants to bring to the club. He manages the energy, the momentum and establishes a really strong culture in every football club. As well, he makes sure that he wins and he's won in every single club that he's been at.
"We said since the virus that we had to win every single game. Unfortunately we haven't been able to do that but we're in a good run and we'll try to go there to get the three points again."
Jose Mourinho, Spurs (via Tottenham Hotspur FC):
"At this moment we are both in a very similar situation. It’s not that incredible emotion that we’re fighting for something really big, more than to finish above you, or not finish above you. It’s missing that.
'It’s not a match that is going to decide big things. But it probably decides the only thing we can fight for, both of us. I don’t think realistically we’re fighting for a Champions League position - one-point difference, four matches to go, one between us, then the remaining three - which are of course still important - it’s a big match for the table.
"The fans have a special feeling for this match, so the players on the pitch have to fight for them."
Do you think the Gunners will get a win in the North London derby? Tell us in the comments below or share your thoughts through blogs!
