Premier League: Arsenal vs Tottenham [Matchday 28]

A huge North London derby takes place on Sunday, with both teams in need of three points if they are to mount any sort of challenge on securing European football next season.

Neither team is enjoying their best football at the moment, but a win over your rival will spur you on for the rest of the season.

Arsenal vs Tottenham

Arsenal came through relatively comfortably on Thursday in Greece, but they must improve on their league form and fast.

Time is against them as we head into the middle of March with games running out and Arsenal still some way off the European football, they may need to rely on trying to win the Europa League to secure next season’s European football. They currently sit 10th in the league with 11 games remaining, but it’s a long-term project for Mikel Arteta to get the club back to where it belongs, and he believes he will deliver [1].

Arteta has gotten rid of the deadwood and really put his stamp on the side, but their league form hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant a higher position than they currently have. The team at times shows how great football can be played, but they aren’t always at it and there is still a lot to learn from a side that has a lot of new faces sprinkled with young talent.

There are still far too many games that they haven’t shown up for and expected to get by on their talent alone, but the “big names” at Arsenal haven’t performed well enough this season. Too many bystanders have been at Arsenal for far too long, and some players at the club still seem soft at times and without a fight.

They are improving but slowly, and it may need to be next season that we really see what the team is capable of on a consistent basis. It’s a must-win here for The Gunners, who haven’t beaten Spurs since 2018, but the win may just be for bragging rights come to the end of the season.

Tottenham started great this season and then they dropped off dramatically, and now things seem to be back on the up in recent fixtures. They are still in with a shout of securing a Champions League spot, but they must continue winning games and hope teams around them drop off.

It’s a strange season that sees West Ham in the running for European places, but Spurs are only 5 points off Chelsea in 4th with 11 games to go. Mourinho had some words to say about the upcoming North London derby, saying that he only looks up in the league and not below, which he is right to do as Arsenal haven’t been much of a threat compared to other teams recently [2].

Players like Kane and Son have been the deadly duo for most of the season, while Gareth Bale has recaptured some form recently, and really showing what he can do when he’s fit and given game time. They should be so much better than where they’re at, and they have played negatively at times against teams that they should comfortably beat or at least attack against. Wins in their last 5 in all competitions have seen them bounce back in terms of league form, and progress comfortably in the Europa League.

They do have a lot to play for in the run into the end of the season, and it’s an exciting time for the Spurs as there’s still a lot to play for, and they look to be the stronger half of North London these days. A huge 3 points here would effectively end Arsenal’s small hopes of European football and would go a long way in securing the Spurs’ challenge at the top 4.

Prediction: Tottenham to win

Spurs will be much hungrier, as the 3 points matter a lot more in terms of where they can be in the league positions, but it will still be a tough ask.

Arsenal’s recent results against their rivals haven’t gone well and it could be the same story here. Spurs are a stronger, more physical side and have a lot of informed talent, especially up top, while Arsenal is still weak in the central defensive area, and under pressure, they do panic a bit. Kane, Son, and possibly even Bale starting is a scary front three, and if they’re at it, then Spurs will shine.