Tottenham Hotspur, who currently sit behind Arsenal on the Premier League table, will welcome the North London rivals to the White side of town as they look to disrupt the title challenge of the Gunners. As of the time of writing, Spurs are eight points behind Arsenal on the standings after 25 games.
In the reverse fixture, it finished 2-2 between the two teams, and here is another game to fight for bragging rights and pride.
After last season’s disappointment, Tottenham Hotspur made a fine start to the 2023/24 Premier League season and looked like a side that would compete for the Premier League title. Even when injuries stuck at some point, they managed to stay competitive and are currently outside the top four by just four points as of the time of writing.
Like every team in the Premier League last summer, Spurs’ lost their prolific hitman Harry Kane – who left the North London side for Bundesliga big boys Bayern München – in search of a new challenge. Others who followed the erstwhile captain through the exit door include Harry Winks who left for relegated Leicester City, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele to Turkish giants Galatasaray, and Lucas Moura to Sao Paulo on a free transfer. Sergio Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga, Djed Spence, and Joe Rondon secured loan moves away to Manchester United, FC Augsburg, and Leeds United respectively.
Spurs, aside from getting a new manager, went into the market and acquired Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest, English midfielder James Maddison from Leicester City, Dutch center-back Micky van de Ven from VfL Wolfsburg, Pedro Porro from Sporting CP, Dejan Kulusevski from Italian giants Juventus, and current starting goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli. Exciting winger Manor Solomon joined from Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer while Giovanni Lo Celso returned from his loan spell at Villarreal.
Tottenham Hotspur, who had no European football to worry about, failed to maintain the great form they started the season with when they sat at the top of the Premier League table following their unbeaten run in their first ten games. Their inconsistency has seen them drop on the rankings and are now just hanging around but they are sure of a return to Europe at the end of the season.
On the other hand, Arsenal, for the second season in a row, have found themselves in a title challenge and belief is currently growing among the players and the fans over their chances in the forthcoming campaigns. The Gunners experienced a flurry of activity during the summer transfer window, witnessing significant player departures and notable acquisitions. Long-time servant Granit Xhaka departed for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga, while Folarin Balogun moved to Monaco, goalkeeper Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest, Pablo Mari to Monza in the Italian Serie A, and Rob Holding to Crystal Palace. Several players also went out on loan, with Kieran Tierney joining Real Sociedad, Nuno Tavares to Nottingham Forest, and promising winger Marquinhos to FC Nantes. Nicolas Pépé, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Sambi Lonkonga left on free transfers, finding new homes at Trabzonspor, Olympique Lyon, and Luton Town, respectively.
On the recruitment front, Arsenal secured prominent signings, including Declan Rice from West Ham, Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea, Jurrien Timber from Ajax Amsterdam, and the current starting goalkeeper David Raya on loan from Brentford.
On the pitch, Arsenal had a fine start to the season beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 before going ahead to beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park with a strong defensive display.
That result was followed by a 2-2 draw with Fulham at home then a run of back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Everton before a 4-0 win in the UEFA Champions League. Upon return to the Premier League, Arsenal drew 2-2 with Spurs before another run of three consecutive Premier League wins over Brentford, Bournemouth, and champions Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s men lost to Newcastle and Villa on the road before another surprise defeat to West Ham United (home) and Fulham. However, they made a strong start to the Premier League in 2024; and as of the time of writing, they sit third, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
The North London derby is usually an interesting fixture in the Premier League. While Arsenal have enjoyed some dominance over the last couple of seasons, the Whites would try to redeem their image in front of their fans by the time this match is played.
Match tickets
This crucial match at Tottenham Stadium in London kicks off on Saturday 27th April 2024, at 3 PM UK time.
The magnificent 62,850-capacity stadium is the place to be for this clash between the Whites and the title challengers.
Getting tickets for the Tottenham vs Arsenal tickets could take a lot of work given the standard of this game. Hence, you are advised to search ticket reselling sites should they be expectedly sold out on each club’s channels.
Team news
Line-ups
Spurs do not have any major injury ahead of this fixture. However, the likes of Destiny Udogie and Frazer Forster have been nursing one problem or the other for a while now but could be available for this game. Meanwhile, Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur, known for their possession-heavy style of football, will be looking to control the game via the midfield with a rejuvenated Bissouma and intelligent Lo Celso pulling the strings. Skipper Son Heung-Min and midfielder Pape Matar Sarr remain key to their play and will be keen to make a mark in this game.
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Sarr, Son, Kulusevski, Johnson, Richarlison.
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has struggled with a thigh problem all season. While Fabio Vieira, who was beginning to settle into the team, has had his time in the physio’s room as well. Meanwhile, Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, who is just recovering from an ACL injury, is expected not to feature. In terms of approach, Arteta will likely stick with his regulars for this crucial match.
Arsenal: David Raya; Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel, William Saliba, Ben White; Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka.
Prediction
The reverse fixture was a four-goal thriller and quite enjoyable for the Neutrals. Spurs have not got better than the Gunners in recent seasons but they have their home form to rely on. The Whites have won three of their past five meetings here and will be hoping they can dent the title hopes of Mikel Arteta’s men.
Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal