Arsenal v Spurs: Can Tottenham win away to top the Premier League?

Arsenal meet Tottenham in a vital North London derby in the Premier League’s most eye-catching Saturday fixture. Who will come out on top? Robin Bairner has the low down.

Fighting for top spot

Saturday will see the 192nd meeting between these two historic clubs, but it is a rivalry that Arsenal boast a formidable record in, particularly at home. Only twice in the Premier League era have they suffered defeat against Spurs on their own patch, and one of these came in the very first season of English football’s modern age.

These games are known for goals and excitement, particularly at the Emirates Stadium, which has had a habit of throwing up classic encounters between the two sides. With Spurs seeking a victory that would carry them to the top of the table, this is a landmark match not only in the 2022-23 Premier League season, but in the long history between the clubs.

Come full time on Saturday, one of these teams will be top of the league. But who will it be?

Gunners looking good

Arsenal have had the opportunity to savour top spot in the Premier League over the course of the international break, having climbed to the summit of the standings as early as mid-August. Mikel Arteta’s side have been virtually flawless this season, with a defeat at Manchester United the only blemish in what has been a superb start to the campaign.

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Victory on Saturday, priced at 2.16, would carry the Gunners temporarily four points clear of the chasing pack, but they have a glut of injury problems to cope with. Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two first-team starters who could miss this encounter.

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The derby will represent a major test of Arsenal’s title mettle. They may have a perfect three wins from three matches at home this season, but these have come against Leicester, Fulham and Aston Villa – Tottenham are a different calibre of opponent entirely. If they can overcome Spurs with a patchwork side, there will be a little more belief that this team is the real deal before a crunch match with Liverpool next week.

Derby weakness?

Tottenham have also made a strong start to the season, particularly domestically. Antonio Conte’s men remain undefeated in the Premier League this season, but critics might point to a relatively gentle early fixture list. Indeed, Spurs have only played two top-ten clubs as things stand.

Points have been spilled at Chelsea and West Ham in previous derby trips this season but, with a vital Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt looming on Tuesday, a point would not be a poor return here – especially at a venue that has proven testing for Spurs in the past.

A history of goals

The first match after the international break is a hazardous one for many teams. This encounter, though, is one in which there will surely be goals scored. Both teams play with attacking swagger, while history shows that each of the last four league matches at the Emirates between these clubs have produced at least three goals. At 1.74, I would back both teams to make an impact here.

Recommended bet

Back both teams to score @ 1.74