Arsenal could do something against Tottenham which hasn’t been done in 26 years.
It might be international break, but there’s no doubt Mikel Arteta is already working on his game plan ahead of the North London Derby next weekend. The Arsenal players that aren’t representing their nations are currently working hard at London Colney.
The Gunners head into the fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having won two and drawn one of their opening three Premier League games. Although it’s been a positive start, Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways next weekend after a disappointing draw to Brighton last time out.
Tottenham have had a pretty inconsistent start to the 2024/25 campaign. Ange Postecoglou’s side dropped points to newly-promoted Leicester City on the opening day, followed by thrashing Everton to most recently losing to Newcastle.
Interestingly the Gunners have won their last two Premier League matches at the home of Spurs, having not won there previously since 2014. Arsenal beat their North London rivals 0-2 in January 2023 and more recently won 2-3 in the title run-in last season.
It creates an even bigger match as we look ahead to next Sunday. Arsenal have not won three back-to-back away North London Derbies since 1988. If the Gunners win next weekend it will be the first time in 26 years they’ve achieved the feat.
However Arsenal will have to do it without one of their man men in Declan Rice. The 25-year-old picked up two yellows cards against Brighton last time out, meaning he is suspended for the huge derby next Sunday.
It’s expected that Kai Havertz will drop back into the midfield with either new signing Raheem Sterling or Gabriel Jesus leading the line. Another option is a midfield three of Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.
Whatever Mikel Arteta goes with, there’s no denying Declan Rice will be a huge miss on the day.
