Since the inception of the English Premier League, one of the fixtures that stand above all others is the North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.
Arsenal are hosting city rivals Tottenham on Sunday at Emirates Stadium and with both teams looking strong, it’s certainly the game that grabs the attention.
Both sides have made unbeaten starts to the Premier League season and trail leaders Manchester City by two points.
Mikel Arteta said there is no better feeling than winning a North London derby and beating Tottenham can give Arsenal’s season lift-off.
Arteta’s Gunners are looking capable of another push for the title – whether or not they complete the job is another matter – while Ange Postecoglou’s revolution at Tottenham has caught the minds of the neutral and the hearts of the Spurs faithful.
Yes, Arsenal have home advantage but the feel-good factor at Spurs means they will be full of confidence for the contest. There is a small bit of value in taking the away side for success but in truth, it’s a game where the potential for ‘overs’ betting to land across the board is there.
According to standard.co.uk, Arteta believes victory would give Arsenal momentum going forward, and asked if there is a better feeling than beating Spurs, he said: “No.
“Because you know what it means to people to have that possibility in your job, to make someone happy. That’s a huge sense of fulfilment and responsibility that we feel.
“It’s special. It’s a rivalry in the city but I really like the rivalry. I have lived many other derbies when I played in France, when I played in Spain, when I played in Glasgow, when I played Everton v Liverpool.
“It’s a special thing here. It’s special in the city, it’s special between communities as well and I really like it. It’s intense.
“You walk down the street and there is a feeling there. I imagine it’s both ways because there is a history and rivalry.
“That’s a beautiful thing if it’s taken the right way in sport. We’re so privileged to be involved in these kind of games.
“There are things that you have to control emotionally. The atmosphere will be different. It will be more electric, there will be more energy on the ground and on the pitch and you have to deal with that in the eight way and take advantage of it.
“I think it (winning the derby) builds something even bigger with your supporters. It’s a game that’s in the fixture list and you always look and ask: ‘When are we playing that game?” Arteta stated.
Head-to-head:
– Arsenal are seeking to win three consecutive league games against Tottenham for the first time since a run of five between 1987 and 1989.
– Tottenham have won only two of their 31 Premier League visits to the Gunners, drawing 11 and losing 18.
– This is the first time that both sides come into this fixture unbeaten since 1990, when the pair drew 0-0 at Highbury in the third game of the season.
– Arsenal have scored in 24 successive home North London derbies in the Premier League since a goalless draw in November 1998.
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