By Kunle Mudasiru
Tottenham Hotspur look to improve on their lukewarm start to the new Premier League season with a win in the north London derby against Arsenal this weekend.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have been a figure of inconsistency throughout August, winning one, drawing one, and losing one.
The Gunners head to the North London Stadium in hopes of improving their own fortunes – squandering precious points in the title race with a draw at home to Brighton just before the international break. And while that draw, which saw Mikel Arteta’s side reduced to ten men at the start of the second half, might not prove to be crucial long-term, it is hard to tell given the standards needed to lift the title come May.
When looking at the Premier League match odds, Arsenal are even money favourites at most of the brand new betting sites but Spurs on their day are always capable of picking up points, especially when there is the Derby factor to consider. ‘Big Ange’ is yet to best Arteta since his arrival in the Premier League, and he will be hoping to turn that around when the two sides meet on September 15.
The Gunners enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League season last term, picking up a record number of points and scoring a plethora of goals as they looked a more mature side to the one that capitulated in 2022/23. However, they still missed out on the title, and the draw to Brighton could well derail their third pursuit of a first title in 21 years.
Indeed, Arsenal know how consistent that reigning champions Manchester City are.
Pep Guardiola’s side – top of the table at the time of writing alongside Liverpool – are virtually unbeatable come the business end of the season, and usually drop points in the opening weeks when their thin squad is at its most vulnerable.
However, the Gunners missing out on a perfect start has already hampered their progress, and with City bringing the likes of Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne back into the fold, they could already be fighting an uphill battle.
Spurs will not make life easy, and without Declan Rice, who was sent off at the Emirates for a second yellow, the likes of Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard will need to step in order to get three points.
New signing Mikel Merino was sidelined with a broken arm, being denied a first taste of derby action, and the holding midfield battle will be crucial in deciding who picks up all three points. If Arteta gets it right, expect goals to go in and the Gunners to win on the road.
