Premier League: Bragging Rights the Prize in the North London Derby

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

There are some pretty tasty fixtures going on in Europe this weekend, but the one I’m looking forward to is Premier League: Arsenal vs Spurs.

The North London Derby has always been a classic, and the bragging rights have ebbed and flowed over the past two decades. Arsenal had the upper hand pretty much all the way through Arsene Wenger’s tenure as head coach, famously going through the entire 2003/4 season undefeated to become know as the Invincibles.

But, in recent years, the shoe is on the other foot. Spurs have pushed for the league title while reaching a Champions League final, with players such as Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son dazzling fans and neutrals alike.

This season is rather different. Neither team has pulled up any trees, currently sitting tenth and seventh in the table. Spurs are five points adrift of a top four place while the Gunners are seven points further back.

The Arsenal vs Spurs betting odds predict a hard fought match, both teams have underachieved at times this season, but both have also played some outstanding football on their day.

Arguably, the bragging rights are the biggest prize in this one!

Talking Points

Arsenal’s trophy cabinet is dust-free

Mikel Arteta arrived at Arsenal last year with a big reputation as a talented coach, following his time with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and a popular ex-player. It’s not been all plain sailing, though he did endear himself to the Gunners’ faithful by lifting the FA Cup in his first season, particularly sweet as Spurs haven’t won a trophy since their EFL Cup triumph in 2008, last winning the FA Cup in 1991 and the league in 1961.

So history is on the Gunners side but, in the now, they have work to do to keep pace with the Whites. With nine goals each Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are starting to look like a potent strike pair again. Arsenal had a tough assignment away to Burnley last week and were frustrated when Chris Wood equalised Aubemayang’s opener to share the points. Lacazette didn’t have his best day, his highlight being a feature on UK TV measuring the loudness of his scream after being fouled by Burnley’s Erik Pieters.

But the France striker had a much better time the previous week when he scored a penalty in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over high-flying Leicester City.

Arsenal's Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang aims to add more goals in his Premier League record as they face Tottenham Hotspur — Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s first goal against Burnley

The Gunners can brush off their disappointment in Burnley, especially with the return to fitness of wing back Kieran Tierney and midfield ace Thomas Partey.

Bale makes Spurs look like top four contenders

Tottenham come into the game on a winning streak of four and are beginning to look like Champions League contenders, just as they did in an impressive start to the season.

Harry Kane and Gareth Bale were both on target in Spurs’ 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace last week and while those goals took Kane’s tally to 16 and Bale’s to five, it is the recent form of the Real Madrid player which is getting the Whites’ fans dreaming again.

Spurs’ recent period of North London domination will mean nothing if they can’t open their trophy cabinet, something head coach Jose Mourinho has promised to move heaven and earth to do. If anyone can do it, Jose can and he has an EFL Cup final date with Manchester City in the diary.

In the meantime, if the Welsh winger writes the Arsenal vs Spurs news headlines then the White half of North London will be very happy indeed.

History

Arsenal have had the better of the North London clashes, winning 24 to Spurs’ 14 in the Premier League era and there have been 25 draws.

Spurs won the return match 2-0 while the result in last season’s encounter at the Emirates was a 2-2 draw.

Both teams have lost just once in the last five games; but while Spurs have won the other five, Arsenal have drawn another two and won three.

Betting Tip

	Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur	Over 2.50 @ 1.96
	March 15, 00:30 (GMT+8)

Spurs have the marginally better recent form and the Emirates will be sadly silent, but the hosts are marginal favourites at odds of 2.46, while Spurs have SBOTOP odds of 2.76 and the draw is at 3.01.

If I was going to predict a result I’d go for a draw, but I’m more confident of a high-scoring game, as both teams have plenty of goal threat and the ability to beat anyone on their day.