Five reasons why Tottenham can beat Arsenal in the North London derby

Arsenal arrive in North London having performed extra video games than Spurs throughout latest weeks, juggling their league commitments with cup competitions and European soccer.

That congestion has proven. On Wednesday evening they squandered a 2-0 lead towards bottom-placed Wolves, finally drawing 2-2 after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser – a consequence noticed questions raised

Including to these worries, star winger Bukayo Saka hobbled off that Wolves conflict and will face health doubts for the derby, regardless of having simply penned a brand new contract at his boyhood membership.

Derbies are emotionally and bodily taxing, and a barely jaded Arsenal outfit may be weak to a high-intensity Spurs efficiency, particularly if Tottenham begin strongly.

Tottenham’s ‘fortress’

Nothing ignites a group just like the roar of their very own crowd, notably in a derby.

The final time Tottenham registered a North London derby win was below Antonio Conte, when the stadium was a cauldron of noise and sparked worry within the visiting Gooners.

However, the house kind this season has been dreadful, successful simply 3 times within the Premier League this season.

On Sunday, supporters will probably be determined to carry the group, and the enhance from 60,000 followers baying for victory can have an actual affect when the match is tight.

Arsenal’s latest inconsistency would possibly make them really feel much less comfy in that setting, particularly if Tottenham can roar into an early lead.

A brand new model below Tudor

One in every of Tudor’s first messages was concerning the tactical modifications he plans to make. He needs his Spurs aspect to play on the entrance foot, to pin opponents again and to take the sport to them, not sit deep and hope for scraps, as was so usually the case below Thomas Frank.

He has talked about enjoying “courageous however clever” soccer and never settling for attracts, signalling a way more aggressive intent than the cautious approaches seen below earlier managers.

Arsenal are a technically sturdy aspect, however in heated derby encounters, an assertive opponent can disrupt them.

If Tottenham commit numbers ahead and press from the primary whistle, they’ll create loads of chaos and probably exploit any defensive lapses.

Nervous Arsenal

Regardless of sitting high of the Premier League, Arsenal have dropped factors in video games the place they could have been anticipated to win, a operating theme within the final three seasons they’ve gone on to complete as runners up.

In 2026 to date they’ve taken simply 13 factors and have been pegged again from successful positions extra usually than nearly some other top-flight aspect – solely Wolves and Crystal Palace are worse off.

That sample – dropping factors late, struggling to shut out video games that seem gained – suggests a psychological vulnerability.

Spurs can capitalise on that in derby circumstances, and upset the chances to rescue their very own marketing campaign.