In order to achieve something, you need to suffer. That’s Mikel Arteta’s moto, as the Arsenal coach is preparing for today’s big North London derby against Tottenham. And if the story of greatness after the suffering is true, than it’s certainly time for the Gunners to feel success after 18 months of nerve-racking results and displays. And they have the tradition on their side too. Arsenal defeated Spurs in their last match in March (2-1), and will be looking for their first double over rivals since 2013-14 campaign. “Visit Rwanda” sponsorship deal is another problem for ArsenalMore so, Arsenal have lost to Spurs just once in their last 28 home league games, and they have a mini winning streak in all competition right now, as they mustered three wins in a row. „There is a certain level of confidence when you are on a winning streak that it’s really positive to face a big match. But afterwards when the ball is rolling it’s a completely different context. We’re playing at home, we’re going to have our people right behind us. They’re going to create an incredible climate that you have to be able to enjoy, empower and make the most of it. The history between the two clubs and where this rivalry comes from and what it means emotionally to all of our supporters. You have to play that game with slightly different skin because there is a little bit more at stake” said Arteta, obviously aiming at some of his players, who should rise up their level. M̵a̵t̵c̵h̵d̵a̵y̵ 🔴 DERBY DAY! 🔴#ARSTOT | #NorthLondonDerby pic.twitter.com/6lvFkKhz5T— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 26, 2021 And the Spaniard was sure that the last 18 months of suffering will bring something good for the club. “We are in a different moment in our history. Every club has to go through different patches, and we went through the patch of the last 18 months. But I’m a big believer that this had to happen. For this club it had to happen – we had to experience this and that’s going to make us much stronger“ explained the recent plight Arteta. Gunners coach was not going to reveal the starting 11 against the Spurs, but he did spoke about his captain Granit Xhaka in glowing terms. The Swiss is available again after the three game ban and Covid-19, and Arteta praised Xhaka for his works in trainings and revealed that he’s in great shape as he “really looks after himself”. Thomas Partey is questionable (as always), along with Mohamed Elneny and Kieran Tierney, but all have been passed fit to play. Arteta also has to decide on his strikers combination, as both Aubameyang and Lacazette have good records against the Spurs. The Gabon striker has seven goals in just 11 career appearances against Tottenham, while French forward has scored in three of the last four North London Derbies. 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.It’s Son in the North London Derby! 🥰 pic.twitter.com/h5s7Cgo2wE— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 25, 2021 Unlike Arsenal, Tottenham are on a mini losing streak which started after coach Nuno Espirito Santo got the Manager of the Month award in August. Since then, the Spurs have two defeats, a humiliating 3-0 against Crystal Palace and an expected loss to Chelsea. On top of that Santo has to deal with the Premier League, since he ignored their heading limits guidelines in trainings ahead of the derby. The recommendation at the start of the season was that footballers at professional level should be limited to 10 high-force headers per week. And that guideline couldn’t have come in a worse moment for the Spurs, as Santo complained about Tottenham’s defending from set-pieces this season. Asked how they can improve at those when there are limits in place, he said: „That’s why we have training sessions without nobody seeing us. I’m concerned with the situation of dementia and what heading the ball can cause. It’s a big concern for us but it’s part of the game. Honestly I will not lie to you. I don’t count how many times our players head the ball. Maybe I will get myself in trouble for this. But football is jumping, heading, it’s part of the game“.’I cannot understand why Arsenal spent 7.5 billion on White’And one player in particular is keen to be great in today’s match: Harry Kane. The Spurs forward just can’t find his form since he got back to the team, and scoring any goal (and maybe the winning one) against old rivals could be good to everybody, especially him. And Kane should be motivated even more, since he was mentioned by the rival coach in a cheeky way. “Harry Kane has scored 30 goals and never won the Premier League, you know? There are a lot of good examples of players that do phenomenally, but unfortunately there are a lot of top teams in this country and only one wins the league” said Arteta recently and Kane will certainly want to get a sweet revenge over those statement. We’ll soon find out. PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 6SaturdayChelsea – Man.City 0-1 (0-0)/Jesus 53/Man.Utd. – Aston Villa 0-1 (0-0)/Hause 88/Watford – Newcastle 1-1 (0-1)/Sarr 72 – Longstaff 23/Leeds – West Ham 1-2 (1-0)/Raphinha 19 – Firpo 67 og, Antonio 90/Everton – Norwich 2-0 (1-0)/Townsend 29 pen, Doucoure 77/Leicester – Burnley 2-2 (1-2)/Vardy 37, 85 – Vardy 12 og, Cornet 40/Brentford – Liverpool 3-3 (1-1)/Pinnock 27, Janelt 63, Wissa 82 – Jota 31, Salah 54, Jones 67/Sunday16.00: (2.75) Southampton (3.10) Wolverhampton (2.95)18.30: (2.45) Arsenal (3.30) Tottenham (3.15)***odds are subject to change***
