Arsenal host Tottenham for the first North London Derby of the season on Saturday afternoon.
Spurs are currently four points ahead of the Gunners going into the post-interlull clash and, although you can never really predict the outcome of a Derby, most have backed the Lilywhites to leave the Emirates with three points.
As the official timekeeper and watch partner of the Premier League, TAG Heuer will be at the heart of the action this weekend. Arsenal fans have the chance to win tickets to watch the Gunners live by taking the Premier League Pressure Test. Race against the clock to answer ten Premier League questions in the fastest possible time.
The fact that, according to Opta, Arsenal haven’t won any of their last six Premier League meetings with Spur, Mauricio Pochettino has yet to lose a Premier League north London derby and Harry Kane has scored in all five of his Premier League north London derbies doesn’t do much to ease the nerves.
Even if Tottenham have won only two of their last 32 away league visits to Arsenal.
Last time the two north London teams came head-to-head, it ended 2-0 to Spurs and Arsenal left White Hart Lane red-faced. However, at the Emirates, it was a stagnant 1-1 draw, which I imagine is likely to happen again.
Spurs may be strong at the moment, with Harry Kane netting a staggering 13 goals in 14 appearances this term, but Arsene Wenger’s side have a pretty impressive home record. In fact, Arsenal are yet to lose at the Emirates in the Premier League this season.
Tottenham will have their tails up since everyone’s been blowing smoke up them all season. I don’t see them hiding, it’s not Pochettino’s style, and they’ll be confident of pulling off a win.
If we keep calm, this could play into our hands as this might lead the visitors to make mistakes.
You and I know that the Gunners seem to be rendered completely incompetent against pressing teams, which Spurs are very good at. Therefore, if we allow ourselves to become flustered, we could be in for an embarrassing afternoon.
I can’t help but predict another draw with goals on each side.
Score prediction: 2-2.
Pochettino is set to field a strong starting XI with several of their star players having made miraculous recoveries from the injuries that kept them out of their international clashes.
Meanwhile, Arsenal could see Danny Welbeck and Shkodran Mustafi return to the fold.
Other Gunners have been rested and if the fans decide to show up, we could be in for a genuinely good match.
Predicted XI: Cech, Kos, Per, Monreal, Kolasinac, Rambo, Xhaka, Bellerin, Ozil, Alexis, Lacazette.
Get involved in the game! Watch this exclusive TAG Heuer panel debate between David Seaman and Tim Sherwood ahead of the North London derby (live from Friday, 3pm) and then take the TAG Heuer Premier League Pressure Test to have the chance to win tickets to see Arsenal live!