David Seaman and Tim Sherwood have given their predictions ahead of the North London Derby on Saturday afternoon.
Seaman was a Gunner for 13 years and featured in 19 North London Derbies, winning five and keeping seven clean sheets. Meanwhile, Sherwood was a Gooner when he was younger but managed Spurs from 2013-2014. Therefore, you can imagine that both will be tuning into the first North London Derby of the campaign at 12:30pm (UK time) on Saturday afternoon.
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.
While the former goalkeeper wants to see his former club do well and has tipped them to edge the final result, Seaman admits that it’s going to be tough.
“I’m going for a 2-1 Arsenal win but it’s as close as I’ve ever known it,” the former England international said at the “Pressure Test” live debate, with quotes courtesy of TAG Heuer.
Meanwhile, Sherwood, just like the rest of the planet, has backed Spurs to win at the Emirates, saying, “Some games you build up and are disappointed. When you build up a North London derby I don’t think you are ever disappointed. I’m going of a 2-1 Spurs win.”
He added, “I think Spurs are heavy favourites. Arsenal are under so much pressure. Even this early in the season they have to win this football match. It’s not only the result of this game or the three points, it’s the lift it gives you – Spurs have some huge games coming up and a win would give a lift. It’s buzzing at the moment but it won’t be if they lose this. If Arsenal win this game they will get a bounce going into the rest of the season. If they lose, their best chance of getting into the Champions League will be through the Europa League.”
Tottenham are currently sitting third in the Premier League table with 23 points – level with Manchester United in second.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have only lost twice this term, while Arsenal have been defeated four times. However, as Seaman says, it’s not a power shift, it’s a shift of form and if the Gunners can pull off a strong win against their bitter rivals, we could at the very least look at pushing into the top four.
“People say the power is shifting, but I say the form is shifting,” said the former shot-stopper. “Power comes through winning trophies. But for Arsenal finishing above Spurs matters massively as it could decide who finishes in the top 4, so it’s a massive game this weekend. Arsenal need to get some consistency and Arsenal seriously need to win this game.”
Often with derbies, however, form goes out the window.
“As soon as the fixtures come out, for the fans and the players it’s all about ‘when are we playing Tottenham’, and then in the week before it just starts ramping up and you just want to do it for the fans,” said Seaman.
Sherman added, “As a player, if you can perform in a North London derby it gives you a bit of a break… as a Tottenham player, in those days Tottenham weren’t chasing title, so it was about beating Arsenal – if we could beat them fans would have the bragging rights no matter what they won.”
Hopefully, while this season isn’t looking to be the most promising, we can give ourselves a much-needed boost in the derby. Or at the very least bragging rights, eh?
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!