Cesc Fabregas believes it would be worse for Arsenal to finish second than for Tottenham Hotspur to finish sixth, putting the pressure on the Gunners ahead of Sunday’s derby.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Arsenal are set to face off against Tottenham Hotspur in an early north London derby this weekend, and Mikel Arteta’s side have already opened up a three-point lead over their local rivals at this early stage.

The Gunners are unbeaten and only dropped points after being reduced to 10 men against Brighton, whilst Spurs have already drawn with Leicester City and lost to Newcastle United.

In some previous seasons, that might have taken the pressure off Arsenal ahead of the derby, with Arteta knowing that even defeat would only bring Spurs level on points.

But Cesc Fabregas argues that the expectations at Arsenal are now much higher, making this a bigger game for them than their opponents.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with team mates Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with team mates Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“I think it’s a bigger game for Arsenal,” Fabregas claims. “Arsenal need to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City to win the league this year. It’s their third year straight trying to win it properly, in a confident way, [where] they believe it can be done.

“If Tottenham loses, or they finish fifth or sixth… I know they will always try to aim a bit higher, but it won’t be seen as such a failure as if Arsenal doesn’t manage to win the league this year.

“I do believe for Arsenal it’s a much bigger game, because they have to find this continuity after drawing the last game against Brighton.

“For the confidence after the international break as well, I think it’s important.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal interacts with match referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal interacts with match referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

On that note, it’s an obvious disappointment for Arsenal that they’re likely to be missing a few of their key players for the match.

Declan Rice is suspended, Martin Odegaard is injured, and new signing Mikel Merino is also injured to complete the trio of midfield absentees.

On top of that, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are long-term absentees, whilst Gabriel Jesus and Riccardo Calafiori are only hopefuls to return – with no guarantees about either of them.

If Arteta and his team can pull off a win anyway, it would be a big morale booster.