Arsenal will look to return to winning ways in the Premier League as they welcome North London rivals Tottenham to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal saw their five-match winning run in the Premier League come to an end last time out, as they conceded deep into stoppage time to draw 2-2 away at promoted Sunderland on a dramatic evening.
That result, coupled with Manchester City’s 3-0 win at home to champions Liverpool a day later, has seen the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to four points.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta’s men are still unbeaten in each of their previous eight league matches (W6-D2-L0), and have only dropped points at home against Manchester City in their 1-1 draw.
Tottenham’s home struggles in the Premier League continued before the international break, as they played out a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United on an afternoon where both of my selections landed.
Whilst only rock-bottom Wolves (1) have collected fewer points at home than Spurs (5), Thomas Frank’s men boast the joint-best away record in the Premier League, picking up 13 points from a possible 15 (W4-D1-L0).
That impressive away form is the main reason they are fifth in the Premier League table, and a win away at The Emirates on Sunday can move them within five points of their North London rivals.
How the bookies view it: Gunners favourites
Arsenal are expected to bounce back from their draw at Sunderland a fortnight ago, with bet365 pricing a home success at just 21/50.
Spurs are 13/2 underdogs with bet365 to claim their fifth away win in the Premier League this season, whilst the draw is 15/4.
Head to head: North London is red
Arsenal have dominated the North London derby in recent seasons, winning five and drawing one of their last six meetings (W5-D1-L0), including doing the double last term.
Tottenham’s last victory over their North London rivals came in May 2022, whilst they haven’t won at the Emirates in the Premier League since November 2010.
Players to watch: Saka to strike again against Spurs?
Bukayo Saka is starting to regain his top form, with the England international finding the back of the net in three of his last four appearances for Arsenal, as well as grabbing a goal against Serbia on England duty last week.
The Gunners’ vice captain has a superb record against Spurs, scoring twice and providing four assists across the previous five North London derbies, and the 5/6 on offer at Paddy Power for him to Score or Assist appeals to me.
Predicted line-ups:
Mikel Arteta will be without Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres due to injury.
Spurs will once again be without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray and Koto Takai, whilst Randal Kolo Muani is also injured.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Eze, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Merino
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Sarr, Johnson, Simons, Odobert, Richarlison
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, Arsenal have dominated their North London rivals in recent years, and I’m backing them to return to winning ways following their dramatic 2-2 draw with Sunderland a fortnight ago.
Seven of Arsenal’s eight Premier League victories this season have seen fewer than four goals, with the only exception being a 5-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Leeds United back in August.
Arsenal to Win & Under 3.5 Goals was also a winning selection in both meetings between the pair last season, and a repeat on Sunday pays an appealing 11/10 at BOYLE Sports.
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