For North London fans, there is no better and more important game than Arsenal – Tottenham derby. But for the managers, this game came to early as both teams have injury problems and games in midweek just after this game. Arsenal have the new Champions League campaign next week (against Atalanta), while Spurs have an easier task in the Carabao Cup against Coventry. As far as the form goes, Tottenham is not in good shape at all, with only one win from the first three games, with one draw and one defeat. The Gunners are in much better shape, but they are already two points less than Manchester City and if they lose today’s game, a five point deficit just four games into the new season would be a disaster.Trust the process: Arsenal extends with ArtetaWhen Mikel Arteta got the new and deserved contract this week, he was joyful as much as the fans, but then the international break came in and all he got was the bad news. Riccardo Calafiori was injured for Italy but more importantly, captain Martin Odegaard suffered and ankle injury. So, running out on the pitch full of Spurs fans without two key members in midfield is not a good thing. For all of you who forgot, Declan Rice got a bizarre red card last week and is also unavailable for this game. According to Arteta, Odegaard has some slight chance to show up in today’s game, but the fitness tests will be late and nobody will really know until the game starts. In best case scenario, he will be on the bench. Gabrel Jesus might finally be ready, but also for the bench and some 30 minutes at best. So, in midfield, a new partnership will be made, probably of Partney and Jorginho, or Havertz but luckily for Arteta, league’s best defense will be intact for this game.North London Derby 🔥 Tottenham Hotspur watakuwa wenyeji wa Arsenal leo. Ni vita vya kutaka kujua nani mbabe wa jiji, Spurs wameshinda tu mechi moja msimu huu, unadhani watakubali kupoteza mbele ya mashabiki wao wa nyumbani? Kuwa Mshindi! Cheza sasa 👉 https://t.co/G8Rb44Ak7b… pic.twitter.com/06VyqlR3mG— Mozzart Bet Kenya (@mozzartbetkenya) September 15, 2024 His counterpart Ange Postecoglou doesn’t have many problems with his squad. The only absentee is Brazilian forward Richarlison. Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke are returning to the team, while Yves Bissouma remains a doubt. The biggest London derby had some pre-match drama. Arsenal wanted to wear their red and white kits, but the Premier League decided to ban them because they contained too much white—Tottenham’s home colors. As a result, Arsenal will play in black. Last season, Arsenal got the better of the head-to-head encounters. The Gunners triumphed 3-2 at their fierce rival’s ground. After the first 45 minutes, Mikel Arteta’s side led 3-0, but Son Heung-min reduced the score to 3-2 in the closing stages. At the Emirates, the match ended 2-2. Bukayo Saka scored for Arsenal in both matches, while Son netted three of Tottenham’s four goals against Arsenal. In the past two Premier League seasons, Arsenal has beaten Tottenham at their stadium. Both teams have been struggling for years. Tottenham has been the target of mockery due to a 16-year trophy drought, with their last piece of silverware being the League Cup in 2008. Arsenal, too, have been modest in their trophy haul since the fantastic era under French manager Arsène Wenger.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 4Saturday Southampton – Man Utd 0-3 (0-2)/De Ligt 33, Rashford 41, Garnacho 90+6/Man City – Brentford 2-1 (2-1)/Haaland 19, 32 – Wissa 1/Liverpool – Nott. Forest 0-1 (0-0)/Hudson-Odoi 72/Brighton – Ipswich 0-0Crystal Palace – Leicester 2-2 (0-1)/Mateta 47, 90+2 pen – Vardy 21, Mavididi 46/Fulham – West Ham 1-1 (1-0)/Jimenez 24 – Ings 90+5/Aston Villa – Everton 3-2 (1-2)/Watkins 36, 58, Duran 76 – Mc Neil 16, Calvert-Lewin 27/Bournemouth – Chelsea 0-1 (0-0)/Nkunku 86/Sunday 16.00: (2.95) Tottenham (3.60) Arsenal (2.45)18.30: (3.50) Wolverhampton (3.60) Newcastle (2.15)***odds are subject to change***
