If there is one game that seldom disappoints, it’s Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal.
There has been 5-4s, 4-4s, iconic goals, remarkable comebacks, and enough drama to fill the entire run-time of a sprawling HBO drama series.
And if last season’s meetings between Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are anything to go by, Sunday’s North London derby is unlikely to be a tense, tactical tussle decided by a set-piece or a spot-kick.
Heung-Min Son hit a brace as Spurs fought back twice at the Emirates 12 months ago. Seven months later, title-chasing Arsenal roared into a 3-0 lead only to end the game hanging on by their fingernails.
Postecoglou really is a neutral’s dream on occasions such as this. A manager who – even when his side go a man or two down – never deviates from his iron-clad philosophy. One that often sees Spurs create plenty of chances but give a fair few up as well.
There has been a minimum of three goals in seven of the last nine North London derbies. And it would take a pretty brave individual to bet against another capital-city thriller this weekend, even if Arsenal are set to be without their lock-picking captain in the injured Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in North London derby
For Arteta, fresh from signing his new three-year deal on Thursday, Arsenal is his first ever sole managerial position.
In stark contrast, Postecoglou had to work his way up. All the way from South Melbourne in 1996 to Tottenham in 2023, via spells at Panachaiki, Whittlesea Zebras, Yokohama F Marinos and Celtic.
England being the fifth different stamp on Postecoglou’s coaching passport, Arteta cannot speak highly enough of a man who’s success is proof of what can be achieved with a firm commitment to attacking football and a clear, coherent strategy.
“I admire him and I respect him. I think he’s been an inspirational coach in my career because he’s done things in his own way in various contexts and in various countries,” Arteta says, via Niche Sports Media on YouTube.
“And he has a very unique way of thinking about the game and his philosophy. I love it, and he stands by it. As well, he represents himself and the club in a really good way.
“I know Ange, and his team will try to win the game.”
Mikel Arteta goes head-to-head with Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham have shown a few glimpses of those old weaknesses at the start of the current campaign.
A poor second half saw Spurs drop points at Leicester. And, a week after hammering Everton 4-0, Tottenham suffered their first defeat of the season away to Newcastle United.
Arsenal also failed to win last time out. A red card for the now-suspended Declan Rice – who was the subject of much debate between Paul Scholes and Gary Neville in midweek – helped Brighton and Hove Albion snatch a point at the Emirates.
Arteta will know, even at this early stage, that The Gunners cannot afford too many more slip-ups if they are to end Manchester City’s dominance of the Premier League title.
“If we look at where we’re going to be at the end of May, tomorrow’s game that we have to play,” Arteta adds. “I want to have the energy, the enthusiasm for the next day, the next game and prepare that in the best possible way.
“And that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to go to Spurs with unbelievable energy, and believe that we’re going to go there to be ourselves and try to win the game.”
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