Arsenal host rivals Tottenham in Saturday’s second massive derby and arguably the biggest of the London derbies. The Gunners look back to their best after thrashing Aston Villa 3-0 away from home, while Tottenham will be looking to bounce back after falling to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to a mediocre West Brom side. This fixture is also notable for being the highest-scoring match in the Premier League, with 126 goals scored in the last 44 meetings. Both sides still have League Cup games to play against Southampton and Nottingham Forest at the time of writing.
Arsenal bounced back from their Champions League disappointment at Borussia Dortmund with a 3-0 mauling of Aston Villa last Saturday. Villa started the game in second place in the Premier League, having won three of their four games, but they had no answer to a rapid-fire three-goal blast from Arsenal. Mesut Ozil, Danny Welbeck and an own goal from Aly Cissokho had Arsenal in complete command before half-time and they were able to ease through the contest to get their title challenge up and running. It was three Arsenal goals in the space of three minutes and 12 seconds, and right after Ciaran Clark should have put Villa ahead. Villa attempted to take the game to Arsenal in the second half, but they failed to craft the openings to test Wojciech Szczesny as the Gunners eased their way to the three points. The win moves Arsenal to within four points of leaders Chelsea, as the Gunners lie in fourth place on the log. After being completely dominated by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League prior, it was an excellent way to bounce back. What was of major importance, as far as the title race is concerned, was the performance of Mesut Ozil. He had a spring in his step from early in the contest and looked every bit the £42.5m player. If he can continue to deliver similar performances, Arsenal will be a threat to all in the Premier League title race. Strikers thrive on goals and Danny Welbeck now has his first. But before that, he showed there is plenty more to his game with an excellent through ball for Ozil’s opener. The strength in depth Arsene Wenger alluded to was clearly evident, that Arsenal’s second most expensive player in Alexis Sanchez was kept out of the side, and yet prior to the match against Aston Villa, scored three goals in his last four matches. However, the Chilean should make a return to the fold here.
Tottenham fell to an underwhelming 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Sunday, making it two consecutive losses on their home ground. After a goalless first-half, a header from James Morrison, left unmarked at a corner by Erik Lamela, in the 74th minute proved the difference, condemning Spurs to back-to-back home defeats in the league for the first time since November 2012. It was a first victory at White Hart Lane for the Baggies since 1984 and one which looked likely from the outset. Spurs are supposedly chasing the Premier League’s top four, but they struggled to compete against one of the league’s weakest sides and were demolished by one of the leagues stronger sides in Liverpool two weekends before. West Brom, though, were surprisingly strong and, after a cagey beginning, took the game to Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were astonishingly poor, unable to complete simple passes and looked disorganised in defence. The Argentinean will be livid with the performance, and he clearly has plenty to do before this week’s north London derby. Now without a league victory in three games, the north Londoners’ performance will not have lifted confidence ahead of the clash against Arsenal. Nacer Chadli has been Tottenham’s best player, racking up three goals in five league matches and he will be hoping to get on the score sheet after failing to make his presence felt against West Brom. Emmanuel Adebayor will be looking to add to his tally against his ex-team. The Togolese striker has great qualities and combined with his will to win here will be a handful for the Arsenal defence.
Prediction: Arsenal
Arsenal have dominated in recent meetings against their north London rivals, winning the last four meetings on their ground. Spurs have battled to create clear cut goal scoring opportunities in recent matches and if Arsenal can replicate the guts and determination they showed against Aston Villa, a home victory looks certain.
Written by Aaron Crowie
