Tottenham and Arsenal meet this afternoon for the first North London derby of the season.
Spurs haven’t started the new campaign in the fashion they would have wanted, only picking up one win and losing to Newcastle last time out.
However, three points against their biggest rivals would hand Ange Postecoglou‘s side a major boost to their hopes of a strong season.
The Gunners are a tough team to beat, though, and they are yet to lose in their opening games, winning two and drawing one.
They shared the points with Brighton before the international break but that was heavily down to Declan Rice being sent off, with the midfielder now suspended for this huge game.
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Tottenham vs Arsenal: How’s your luck?
Now here’s an incredible stat…
Tottenham have conceded an own goal in each of their last three Premier League meetings with Arsenal.
Last time they met, it was Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg who was the unlucky player after he headed into his own net from a corner.
Before that, Cristian Romero was awarded an own goal in their September 2023 derby, denying Bukayo Saka a goal.
And that came a few months after Hugo Lloris‘ in January last year.
No team has ever put through their own net in four consecutive meetings with an opponent in the competition before.
And if there’s one team you don’t want to break that record against, it’s your biggest rivals…
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- Tottenham have lost five of their last seven Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W1 D1), more than they had in their previous 16 against their north London rivals (W6 D6 L4).
- Arsenal have won their last two Premier League away games against Tottenham, as many as in their previous 17 such visits (D6 L9). They last won three consecutive away north London derbies between January 1987 and September 1988.
Tottenham vs Arsenal: Team news
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Maddison, Son, Solanke, Johnson.
Subs: Forster, Spence, Davies, Dragusin, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, Odobert, Werner.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Jorginho, Partey, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
Subs: Nero, Kacurri, Kiwior, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Sterling, Nwaneri, Kabia, Jesus.
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- Arsenal against Tottenham is the fixture to have seen the most penalties awarded (26) and scored (24) in Premier League history. Indeed, of all Premier League fixtures to have seen at least 100 goals scored, the north London derby has seen the highest percentage netted from the spot (12.9% – 24/186).
- Arsenal vs Tottenham has seen both teams score more often than any other fixture in Premier League history (43), while it’s also the fixture to see the team score first fail to win more often than any other (29 – D19 L10).
Tottenham vs Arsenal: What has been said?
Raheem Sterling could make his Arsenal debut this weekend and he’s looking forward to getting started with the Gunners.
“I’m buzzing,” he said after arriving at the Emirates on Deadline Day.
“It’s one where we left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just like: ‘this is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.
“It’s a perfect fit for myself to be at a football club like this, where you can see that hunger, that desire, year on year, they are pushing and pushing and pushing. That’s exactly how I am as a person.
“Each year you want to get better and do better than the previous year. Hopefully I can gel really well with the boys and get going.
“It’s time now to meet the boys, get settled in and hopefully now see some game time and make my mark.”
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Meanwhile, Emmanuel Petit is concerned defeat here for Arsenal would end their title hopes.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “City started poorly (last season) and they were missing big players during the season, but they won the title.
“I’m not sure that can be possible for Arsenal in terms of quality and quantity of players. That’s what I’ve been worried about for ages, the rotation of the team.
“Now they are back in the Champions League again. Playing every single three days, international duty as well with your country, that means you need to get rotation in your team.
“When you get important players injured, what’s the solution for Arteta? He’s got players, but not in the same position and who cannot bring the same qualities on the pitch.”
- Tottenham’s Son Heung-min has scored eight goals against Arsenal in all competitions; in the history of the fixture, only Harry Kane (14), Emmanuel Adebayor (10) and Bobby Smith (10) have netted more than the Korean.
- Bukayo Saka scored home and away goals against Tottenham in the Premier League last season. The only Arsenal players to score in 3+ consecutive north London derby appearances in the competition are Emmanuel Adebayor (5 between 2006 and 2008) and Robert Pirès (4 between 2002 and 2004)
Tottenham vs Arsenal: Date and how to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, September 15.
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 2pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
talkSPORT will also have the goals as they go in on the Sunday Session with Sam Matterface.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM
