Are Spurs finally getting the edge over Arsenal?

With the North London derby fast approaching, Tottenham will be expecting to take all three points at The Emirates, with Spurs dominating recent matchups against The Gunners.

Arsenal have failed to register a single win in their last five North London Derby’s in all competitions, with The Gunners’ last win coming in 2018 with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scoring a brace in the 4-2 win. One reason Arsenal have stumbled against their rivals in past fixtures is because Spurs have found it far too easy to break down the Arsenal defence, with the visitors on Sunday scoring two or more goals in four of their last five games against The Gunners.

In the reverse fixture this season, Arsenal boasted a much better defensive record coming into the match, with their new signings Thomas Partey and Gabriel both helping sure up The Gunners defence. Gabriel put in an admirable performance however he couldn’t quite prevent Spurs scoring twice, while Thomas Partey received heavy criticism for not adjusting to the Premier League’s physicality quick enough as he struggled to get back and defend Harry Kane’s goal after picking up a knock in midfield.

Both sides are expecting full strength squads on Sunday, with no new injury concerns for either side before the game. The only player certain to miss out through injury is Giovani Lo Celso for Spurs, who is yet to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up in 2020. Spurs fans will be encouraged to hear that the knock Harry Kane picked up in midweek was only that, with Jose Mourinho discussing his captain’s fitness ahead of the derby day:

“I hope so, I believe so. It is a big match, only big problems stop him to be there. Let’s see the reaction tomorrow but I am sure he will be fine.”- SkySports.com https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/12243301/jose-mourinho-expects-harry-kane-to-be-fit-to-face-arsenal-after-tottenham-striker-sustains-knock-in-europa-league

The Spurs captain playing will be a real problem for Arsenal as the forward has dominated the headlines in most recent fixtures. Kane became the top goalscorer of all time in North London derby’s in the reverse fixture this season, as his thunderous strike off the crossbar saw him surpass the ten-goal mark set by Emmanuel Adebayor and Bobby Smith.

Kane has scored in an incredible six out of his last seven matches against the Gunners, with the marksman becoming a thorn in Arsenal’s side every time they face each other and this game could follow suit, with Kane netting five goals in his last four games for Spurs and looking as clinical as ever.

Arsenal will also be boasting a full-strength squad on Sunday, with Emile Smith Rowe looking likely to make his return from injury. Odegaard could start over the youngster however, after the newly named Norwegian captain scored his first goal for The Gunners in some fashion during his side’s 3-1 win at Olympiacos on Thursday.

Both sides come into the derby following convincing wins in their midweek European ties as Arsenal overcame Olympiacos and Spurs cruised to a 2-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb. With each round that passes, a meeting between the two sides looks more inevitable, with the sides from North London dominating the competition and looking certain to qualify for the Quarter Finals.

Although recent form and history would suggest a Tottenham win on Sunday, the North London derby will be anything but predictable. Arsenal are desperate for every point they can get, as Mikel Arteta’s men attempt to chase down European football for next season while Spurs will look to see off Arsenal and put the pressure back on for Champions League qualification.