This sunday will mark the 55th premier league meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham, with both sides in need of three points after losing their respective games in matchweek 3 of the new season. As always with this intense derby goals can be expected, the last time this fixture was goaless was in February 2009.

Arsenal and Tottenham matches have never been simple, and before any time the two sides meet there always seems to be an emphasis on one side more than the other, more recently Arsenal who have finished below their North London neighbours for the past three premier league campaigns. However there was only a point between the two sides in favour of Spurs who saw off Arsenal into a Europa league place for the third consecutive year after the Gunners also lost to fellow Londoners Chelsea in the Europa league final.

With that being said Arsenal had a strong summer transfer window, possibly the best in the premier league after adding more attacking ammunition to the side in the form of Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe, whose impressive Ligue 1 campaign for Lille last year prompted the gunners to spend a club record £72 million. Arsenal also added veteran 32 year old defender David Luiz from Chelsea, with the money they received from the Koscielny deal and completed the loan signing of highly rated Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, who had a stunning U21 Euros over the summer where he won the tournament with Spain. Scottish left back Keiran Tierney also joined the gunners but is yet to play through injury.

As for spurs (who before this summer had not purchased a player since they signed Lucas Moura in January 2018) they recruited sought after Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele for a club record fee of £55 Million. The Frenchman scored in his premier league debut against Aston Villa in early August. As well as this Spurs brought in Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis on loan with an obligation to buy from the Spanish side. With these two signings Pochettino has added a vast quality and depth to his side. Ryan Sessegnon was also added to the squad, but similarly to Tierney for Arsenal he has not played via injury.

Arsenal currently sit in third place after winning their opening two premier league games for the first time since the 2009/10 season, collecting a win and clean sheet on the opening day against Newcastle at St James Park, and fighting hard to eventually beat Burnley at home 2-1. However despite an improvement on their trips to Anfield in the last two seasons where Klopp’s side has scored nine goals and conceded just one, Arsenal lost 3-1 to Liverpool on Saturday evening, with Nicolas Pepe making a full debut and looking very promising next to Aubameyang. The Ivorian happened to end Virgil Van Dijk’s rather infamous record of ‘not being dribbled past’ in 50 premier league matches for the european champions but nevertheless they were comfortably victorious after 90 minutes.

Despite conceding early to Aston Villa on the opening day, a comeback from Tottenham followed to ensure the North London side won 3-1, with a Harry Kane double getting him underway in August where history shows his goalscoring can slow down at times. A trip to the Etihad stadium saw spurs battered by City but they remained in the game until the final whistle, as Gabriel Jesus’ late winner was disallowed by VAR. Pochettino once again troubling the champions and getting a result agaisnt Manchester City. Similarly to Arsenal Tottenham dropped all three points on matchday three in a sluggish performance against Newcastle, which not many were expecting given the magpies issues with ownership and fans discontent with the departure of Rafa Benitez. To be fair the away side looked unbeatable in defence on the day and if the game had carried on all night Tottenham would not have breached an inpenitrable defence.

A chance to turn it around for Tottenham?

After the shock defeat at home to Newcastle on Sunday it emerged Pochettino’s side have only won five of their last fifteen premier league fixtures, so where has it gone wrong for Tottenham recently? As we all know Spurs have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the past four seasons and have been consistent over that period too, finishing inside the top four more than any other team besides Manchester City over the period. This has all been whilst playing in a temporary home at Wembley stadium while the new White Hart Lane (or whatever it is known as now) was completed. So can this almost be expected ? It’s not the first time a club has had a few poorer results after moving ground, Arsenal used the excuse for a long time after the Emirates was built and have only made it a real fortress in the past few seasons, around a decade after it’s completion! If anything this trip to the Emirates is perfectly timed for getting discontented fans back onside for Spurs, afterall it will give them confidence amidst all the uncertainty currently felt.

As well as the stadium adjustion period, Christian Eriksen, an integeral attacking player and one of the best creators in the premier league, has a contract situation which is a cause for concern for Pochettino. With the Danish playmakers contract set to expire in the summer of 2020 and no agreement looking likely, Tottenham could have a creative void in the team come next season, or even before then with top european sides monitering the situation. Eriksen is yet to start a home game this season and there seems to be a conflict between him and Pochettino. Experienced defender Jan Vertonghen is also yet to start a game this season and it is unclear whether this is the result of an injury or something between player and manager. Furthermore gifted new recruit Ndombele failed to start against Newcastle with a minor injury and Spurs fans will be hoping for his appearance at the Emirates on Sunday. Lastly following Keiran Trippier’s departure in the summer Tottenham are relying on youngster Kyle Walker Peters who has looked a liability in his opening three games and certianly not ideal for Pochettino, in other words the squad is looking a bit bare…

Mauricio Pochettino also spoke after the Newcastle game and mentioned how his squad was “unsettled”. Overall a very odd time for Tottenham and unlike the spurs boss to not defend his players, it feels as if this could possibly be an attempt at making Arsenal over confident ahead of the derby. The majority of the meetings between Arsenal and Tottenham over the past few seasons have seen spurs be favourite, but Arsenal have only lost two games in the fixture since November 2015 despite never being tipped to trouble spurs. Whatever is really happening over at Tottenham can only be confirmed by the team sheet, at half past three on sunday.

A chance to prove a point for Arsenal?

After Unai Emery’s side capitulated at the end of last season, failing to get just one win from games at home to Brighton and Crystal Palace and away to Leicester, Everton and Wolves for Champions League qualification, fans and players alike looked dejected. Unai Emery worked so hard last year but it all fell apart at the final hurdle once again highlighting Arsenal’s consistency issues at key times. This has been happening for an inexcusably long time now, with Arsenal exiting title races early over the years and missing out on desirable league positions. Is this finally the year to change that?

This North London derby has happened much earlier than usual however could already be season defining for either side. Arguably this is the most important North London derby in a few years and it’s outcome could foreshadow either teams fortunes this season. If Arsenal can manage to take all three points it will show a change of early season form in comparison to other years, where the club has struggled and had to essentially play catch up. Arsenal have seen some real improvement in the structure of the club for the past year and need to finally prove to everybody, including there own fans they are going to be strong in the biggest matches and are on there way back to writing history for the club. Is it unfair to say all of this boils down to one match ? Possibly, yes. But as we all know derby matches are the most important to the people who matter most, the fans.

Predicted Lineups

Starting with the home team, which is difficult to predict due to Emerys tendencys to change personnel, I belive his preferred 4-2-3-1 will be used. This can often look more like a 4-3-3 in possesion and the defensive stability offered combined with the chance for a counter attack will be useful on Sunday. Arsenal cannot afford a lack of concentration on any part of the pitch as chances usually come along sparingly in these games. In the defence Bernd Leno and Ainsley Maitland Niles are in the squad with limited competiton in either position. I believe Emery will opt for experienced left back Nacho Monreal, that is if he remains at the club and is not sold to Real Sociedad as reports are suggesting. Personally I would like to see Calum Chambers start over David Luiz after his flawless performance against Newcastle however it looks unlikely. Xhaka and Torreira make a midfiled pivot, with the latter acting as destroyer and allowing Xhaka to sit deeper. With question marks remaining over Mesut Özil’s inclusion in the team Dani Ceballos looks likely to start in attacking midfield despite this not being his natural position. On the wings Nicolas Pepe should start after completing 90 minutes at Anfield. With Lacazette likely to be included after a good cameo off the bench on Saturday Aubameyang will not play his natural position at centre forward but instead will play on the left much like he did in the second half against Burnley.

Moving onto the team travelling down the Seven Sisters road on sunday, and as I’ve discussed it certainly will not be an easy team selection. If Ndombele is back we could see a three in midfield with Sissoko, Ndombele and Winks with the latter a bit deeper than the two frenchman. If Pochettino decides to start Eriksen despite all of the off the pitch issues Arsenal are looking at a very different threat. Hugo Lloris will retain his position in goal as well as the two full backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker Peters. Toby Alderweireld starts at centre back alongside Colombia international Davinson Sanchez despite some questionable performances recently. Due to Jan Vertonghen being left out all season so far I don’t belive he will be playing on Sunday in a game of this magnitude, regardless of his vast experience in the fixture. The reliable Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko start in a midfield three with Christian Eriksen in my prediction, as Tottenham will seek his creativity in this game. Heung Min Son should start after coming back from injury and getting game time against Newcastle. Upfront Harry Kane will look to trouble Arsenal as he always seems too, scoring in eight of his last nine games agaisnt the Gunners. Finally on the right Lucas Moura should play ahead of Lamela although Pochettino does seem to have a soft spot for his fellow Argentine so he might just make the team.