Arsenal
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Tottenham face Arsenal within the North London derby on Sunday in what is a large match at each ends of the Premier League
The North London derby hardly ever wants a lot hype – it’s certainly one of English soccer’s fiercest rivalries, and likewise one of many high flight’s most entertaining.
This weekend’s version feels particularly large. Tottenham sit in sixteenth place, have just lately parted firm with Thomas Frank and appointed interim head coach Igor Tudor in a bid save their season.
In the meantime, Arsenal have dropped important factors within the title race in latest weeks and regarded removed from their finest towards Brentford and Wolves.
With the 2 golf equipment at reverse ends of the desk, it ought to appear to be a simple win for the Gunners. It’s something however that.
Listed here are 5 the reason why Tottenham can beat Arsenal in an enormous Premier League conflict on Sunday.
Tudor is to do
It’s an previous truism in soccer {that a} new coach can encourage a right away carry in efficiency, and Tottenham will probably be banking on precisely that.
Tudor’s arrival represents a contemporary starting after Frank’s winless run and Spurs’ slide down the desk. The Croatian has been clear that he expects his gamers to indicate braveness, confidence and a renewed depth on the pitch, insisting “there isn’t a time to search out excuses” and promising aggressive, forward-thinking soccer.
Underneath Frank, Spurs regarded flat, disjointed and bereft of concepts in assault – the form of performances that risked dragging them right into a relegation battle.
Tudor’s message has been the alternative: go for wins and play to win, one thing that would galvanise a squad missing perception.
A complete week’s coaching with a brand new method may give Spurs the sting, with the gamers even given 5 days off after being knocked out of the FA Cup within the third spherical by Aston Villa.
Gunners operating out of steam
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.
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