Pre-match comments
Having scored, won and kept a clean sheet for eight consecutive games, Arsenal finally faced a tough opponent: newcomer Sunderland. It was not Granit Xhaka, but former Arsenal player Daniel Ballard who inspired the Black Cats to secure a valuable point at the Stadium of Light. The centre-back ended the league leaders' 812-minute clean sheet streak, then headed in Brian Brobbey for a dramatic equaliser in the final minute.
Two beautiful goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard in the second half seemed enough to help Arsenal extend their winning streak, but a lack of play at the decisive moment forced Mikel Arteta's team to share the points.
The international break usually brings a precious breather for teams that have suffered a disappointing run of results. But for Arsenal, who have a busy schedule ahead of them against Bayern Munich and Chelsea, any slowdown could have consequences.
The Premier League leaders will head into the North London derby having conceded just one goal at home this season, the league’s best defensive record, but Tottenham are no pushovers away from home.
While Arsenal are aiming for their sixth consecutive Premier League home win without conceding a goal, something they haven't done since 2008, Spurs travel to the Emirates with confidence: having won 13 out of a possible 15 points away from home this season.
Spurs fans had more reason to celebrate than the crowd at Tottenham Stadium, where Thomas Frank's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester United in the final minutes. Matthijs de Ligt's header cost Tottenham the chance to break into the top three, leaving them in fifth place and eight points behind Arsenal ahead of the big game.
Still, a point against Ruben Amorim’s rising side is seen as a sign of improvement, especially after a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, a game in which Tottenham recorded their lowest expected goals (xG) in Premier League history. Since the start of the season, only five teams have had a lower xG than Spurs’ 11.7.
More importantly, the balance of North London has tilted towards the Gunners since Tottenham's last win over Arsenal in 2022. The Emirates Stadium team has won 5 of the last 6 derbies and is on the verge of setting a new milestone: winning 4 consecutive North London derbies for the first time in the Premier League era.
Force information
Arsenal received bad news when the mainstay Gabriel Magalhaes is at risk of being out of action until the end of 2025 due to a hamstring injury he suffered while playing for Brazil. Difficulties continue to surround the "Gunners" when Riccardo Calafiori has not been able to return to training after a hip injury, although many sources previously said that this defender would be able to participate in the derby.
Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are also further away from returning than expected, while coach Mikel Arteta refused to confirm the availability of Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres or Noni Madueke. Gabriel Jesus is still sidelined despite returning to light training.
In contrast to the home team, Tottenham received eight good news in a row regarding their squad. Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Randal Kolo Muani are all fit to play, although Kolo Muani will have to wear a protective mask after a broken jaw. Coach Thomas Frank also said that Mohammed Kudus, Archie Gray, Kota Takai, Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin have returned to training.
Spurs are without just four players: Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. Notably, this will be the first North London derby since 2014 that Tottenham will be without either Harry Kane or Son Heung-min, a duo who have scored 27% of their Premier League goals against Arsenal.
Expected lineup
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Hincapie; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Tottenham: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Richarlison
Score prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham
Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-arsenal-vs-tottenham-23h30-ngay-2311-derby-kho-doan-dinh-post1798726.tpo
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