Premier League: This North London Derby is Set to Explode

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

Often overshadowed by the Manchester Derby and maybe even the Merseyside Derby, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s tussles have been a London attraction alone.

But the times are changing and this weekend, Arsenal against Tottenham is the big match in the Premier League. While the North West rivalries are a little one-sided at the moment, a problem which has previously blighted the North London Derby, both the Gunners and Spurs come into this clash is spectacular form and it could go either way.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners should win this clash according to the pre-match Premier League 2023 betting odds, and they will arrive at the Emirates full of confidence having whacked PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday. But Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have a different look about them, so much so that Tottenham fans don’t have much to complain about.

The two teams are locked together on 13 points from five games, which places them second and fourth, Spurs are ahead on goal difference and Liverpool separate the two.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Talking Points

Odegaard commits his future to the Gunners

In the run-up to this derby, Arsenal have received a huge boost with the news that captain Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year contract, which means he could well stay at the Emirates until 2028.

Among a richly talented team which includes the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and the newly arrived Declan Rice, Odegaard is still the most vital cog in the machine.

Handed the captain’s armband by Arteta last season, Odegaard thrived in the role and led by example, and the Norway star has now scored 24 goals in 78 games for the Gunners since his permanent move from Real Madrid. An attacking midfielder who oozes class, the 24-year-old is the perfect player to lead Arteta’s team.

Another young star with a weight of expectation on his shoulders, Kai Havertz, has struggled to find his very best form since arriving from Chelsea in the summer. But he had a fine game in Arsenal’s victory over Eindhoven, and the £65 million man is beginning to grow in confidence.

Like Odegaard, the German star is 24 years old and yet to reach his full potential, but he made an explosive start to his career at Bayer Leverkusen and is determined to make it in the Premier League.

At 6’4”, he’s a strong figure and a powerful runner and, when he gets in full flow, Havertz will be another huge asset for the Gunners.

But Arsenal’s recent trip to Goodison Park to play Everton proved the Gunners are more than just flair and goals, as they grinded out a 1-0 win to prove that they mean business in this title race.

Postecoglou won’t compromise

Tottenham Hotspur are virtually unrecognisable from the tactical, sometimes defencive, outfit under Jose Mourinho and then Antonio Conte. Those high profile managers were brought in to end the club’s trophy drought, but they failed and long time chairman Daniel Levy has changed direction, appointing a relative unknown in Postecoglou.

Spurs have been playing without fear, in an almost swashbuckling style, and the head coach has promised the fans his side will “scare the life out of opponents” in the run-up to this huge clash.

Spurs’ late, late show against Sheffield United kept their unbeaten run going and lifted them to second place; and one player sure to feature heavily in the Premier League 2023 highlights is creative midfielder James Maddison, who Postecoglou has given licence to shoot on sight.

Maddison is taking the pot shots and creating the chances that Harry Kane did previously, but as a midfielder rather than a centre-forward, he adds more balance to the side.

With Heung-Min Son up front and Dejan Kulesevski out wide this is an exciting attack, but Spurs will be without experienced winger Ivan Perisic, who has suffered an ACL injury in training.

History

The Gunners did the double last season with a 3-1 win at the Emirates and a 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and in terms of recent form, the hosts have a slight edge this time around.

Arsenal have won five and drawn one of their first six games, while Tottenham have won four, drawn one, and lost one, though Arsenal’s home record is two wins and one draw, which matches Tottenham’s away record.

Betting Tip

The Gunners are strong favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.65 with a price of 3.88 for an away win and 3.83 the draw.

I think the hosts will win this game, and I also think there will be plenty of goals, which leads me to believe Arsenal should be on their way before half-time. And for an alternative bet, First Half Goals over 1.25 is priced at 1.85.

 

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