Premier League: Get Ready for Some North London Derby Drama!

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

First plays fifth in the Premier League match of the weekend friends, but that isn’t the half of it. Yep; it’s the North London Derby and this time the eyes of the world will be on it. 

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has a steely focus on the main prize this season; so often the runners up Arsenal are top of the league and, according to the latest Premier League 2025 betting odds, are favourites to win a first title in two decades. But, before the international break, the Gunners had a jolt. A 2-2 draw away to new boys Sunderland allowed Manchester City to climb within four points of the summit, and that is the last team Arteta wants to see in his rear view mirror!   

In fact both North London teams had disappointing outcomes in their last outing before the international break, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur conceded a 96^th minute equaliser at home to Manchester United, a result which denied the Whites fourth place and left them two points behind Chelsea in third, with Sunderland in between.  

Eight points separate these two fierce rivals right now, and by the end of the weekend the gap will be somewhere between five and 11. So this is a huge clash for the two clubs and, of course, the bragging rights are pure gold for the victorious fans…and I suspect the Spurs supporters will take the draw too! 

 

Talking Points 

Seven days of destiny for Arsenal  

The international break didn’t come at the best time for Arsenal who would have been keen to get back out onto the pitch after flopping against the Black Cats. Well now that chance is here and they have three gigantic tests in seven days, the North London Derby, a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich and then another London encounter when they meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. If they win all three Arsenal will be top of both leagues, but that is a big ‘if’ and, while Spurs is arguably the least difficult on paper…on the grass a derby is never easy.  

There has been good and bad news for Gunners fans in the run up to this momentous week as in-form winger Bukayo Saka has progressed talks to commit his long term future to the club, with centre back pairing Gabriel and William Saliba already signing. Saka has scored six goals in 14 games this season and is back to his best, after a run of injuries. But the bad news is that Gabriel will miss the game after he picked up a strain in Brazil’s friendly match with Senegal during the break. Arsenal will miss their star at both ends of the pitch; he’s a dominant presence and a particularly big threat from corners. 

For another Arsenal star, Eberechi Eze, it may be quite awkward when he walks out in front of the Spurs fans. Eze was about to move to Tottenham in the summer but, at the last minute he called Arteta to see if the Gunners were interested in him…and they were. 

There’s nothing like a move like that to add some extra spice to the derby!         

 

Spurs are unbeaten away 

Frank’s team are yet to be beaten away from home in either the Premier League or the Champions League, and now they face Arsenal at the Emirates, before travelling to Paris to take on Champions League holders PSG. They kicked off their season with a 3-0 win over Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but then Spurs put down a marker when the won away to Manchester City. They followed that up with a draw away to Brighton and Hove Albion and wins on the road against Leeds United, West Ham United and Everton.   

Spurs have played with freedom away from home and, with an attack including the in-form Richarlison and assist king Mohammed Kudus they carry a serious goal threat wherever they go. Frank will be looking for more from summer signing Xavi Simons who is yet to score, while winger Wilson Odobert is having a good run after a season disrupted by injury. 

The manager is waiting for an update regarding key midfielder Papa Sarr who limped off during the Senegal and Brazil game. He is the man Frank would hope to cancel out Arsenal’s Declan Rice, but he might need to make a late call.        

 

History

This is the 198^th North London Derby and the Gunners are currently leading by 84 wins to Tottenham’s 61, and there have been 52 draws. 

Spurs have only won once at the Emirates stadium in a stunning 3-2 comeback 15 years ago; and they have been beaten on four of their five visits to the Gunners’ home.   

 

Betting Tip

Fans the length and breadth of the country will have a close eye on the Premier League 2025 updates on Sunday afternoon, particularly those in Manchester and West London. Manchester City have a tricky test away Newcastle United on Saturday while Chelsea visit Burnley and both could pile the pressure on Arsenal with a win.   

Arsenal are hotly fancied, at SBOTOP odds of 1.45 to win, with Spurs at 7.00 and the draw is priced at 4.35…and I have a sneaky feeling Spurs’ current unbeaten away run will continue.  

   

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