Match Result: Arsenal v Tottenham
Arsenal have a roughly 70% chance of landing a Premier League victory when they place this north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Mikel Arteta will be assessing his returning players for this key clash and Gabriel has been the talk of the international break. The Brazilian has sustained a thigh injury which may well keep him out of the reckoning when it comes to this clash.
The Gunners should be able to cope without their star defender and the home side are very warm favourites, with Arsenal landing four wins on home soil along with the 1-1 draw against Manchester City. That goal from Erling Haaland is the only time that the defence has been breached, with Declan Rice proving to offer a protective foil in front of a back four and impressive keeper David Raya.
Arsenal’s home wins have largely been convincing. There was a 5-0 triumph over Leeds before Nottingham Forest were put to the sword by a 3-0 scoreline. There was then a 2-0 success against West Ham before a more slender 1-0 advantage against Crystal Palace. However, there have also been cup wins including a 4-0 success against Atletico Madrid.
There had been ten consecutive wins in all competitions before that 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light. This is the first of two key home matches ahead of a Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich. However, Tottenham Hotspur are not to be trifled with, especially as Spurs are so strong on the road in the Premier League.
Thomas Frank’s side have claimed four victories and a draw on their travels. Those thirteen points account for the lion’s share of the points that have been accrued this term. How to explain the contrast between home and away form? Perhaps they are simply better at exploiting a higher defensive line and they’re a big price to pull off a shock win here.
Goals Under/Over
The Premier League betting sites don’t think there’s much between Under 2.5 Goals and Over 2.5 Goals. They’re leaning ever so slightly towards the latter although the bookies are taking into account the tight Arsenal defence. If the Gunners don’t concede a goal, then it’s a simple case of wagering on whether the home side will find the net three times or more.
The fact that Tottenham have only conceded three on the road will be encouraging to Under 2.5 Goals. Let’s not forget that Thomas Frank’s side claimed a 2-0 success at Manchester City and that was followed by a 3-0 victory at West Ham. Then came a 2-2 draw at Brighton and the only other goal to be conceded came at Leeds where they won 2-1.
Given the teams are back from the international break, we’re leaning towards Under 2.5 Goals. Spurs will want to defend deep and ensure that they can stop the ball going in from set pieces.
BTTS
It’s hardly a surprise that BTTS No is trading as the marginal favourite to oblige in this North London Derby. Arsenal have made a habit of keeping clean sheets in the Premier League this term. In seven of their eleven top-flight games, Mikel Arteta’s side have achieved a shutout. At home, there has only been one goal conceded although the probable absence of Gabriel could be a small issue.
Tottenham have scored a very healthy twelve goals in the space of five away games this term. They offer a lively threat from set pieces themselves and went into the international break after a 2-2 draw against Manchester United. This came after putting four goals past Copenhagen in the Champions League although blanks were previously drawn away to Newcastle and at home to Chelsea.
Looking at the head-to-heads in recent times, Arsenal won this fixture 2-1 last term. A Son Heung-Min goal was overturned by a Dominic Solanke own goal and a Leandro Trossard winner. However, there were only four shots on target from the Gunners and two from the away side, with Thomas Frank likely to set up in a pragmatic fashion.
First Goalscorer
It appears as though Viktor Gyokeres won’t be available to line up in this clash and we might also see Gabriel on the sidelines. Therefore, we need to look at some alternative candidates when it comes to Arsenal scorers. Bukayo Saka will be on penalty duties for the Gunners and perhaps rates as the best Bet Builder option, with the English winger likely to also offer a threat from open play.
Eberechi Eze will get his first taste of a North London derby, with the former Crystal Palace forward likely to be motivated to get into good scoring positions. It was Leandro Trossard who bagged the winning goal last time out in an NLD and the Belgian took his goal very well at Sunderland before the Black Cats were able to score an equaliser.
If Arsenal are to prosper from a set piece, then perhaps Jurrien Timber, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori are good options. They will all be prominent from set pieces and the same applies to Declan Rice who has made a habit of scoring important goals.
Tottenham are not without a chance of scoring and Micky Van De Ven has found the net six times this season. He was able to bag a brace at Everton and was also on the scoresheet against Copenhagen.