Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he feels Tottenham Hotspur will secure the local bragging rights by beating Arsenal this weekend.
Spurs play host to their North London rivals on Sunday and Jose Mourinho’s side are very much the form horses.
Tottenham sit top of the Premier League table after losing just the once so far this season – on the opening weekend of the campaign – and they’re big favourites to beat Mikel Arteta’s struggling Gunners.
In contrast to the Lilywhites, the Emirates Stadium outfit sit 14th in the table after losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers last time around.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains with just one goal since signing his new contract in September and although this would be a good time to find his shooting boots again, Lawrenson feels that Mourinho and co will reign supreme.
He told BBC Sport: “Tottenham are a better side than Arsenal, a more reliable side and they are superior defensively which is in large part down to the manager and his philosophy.
“Jose Mourinho’s forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have also been the best two in the league bar anybody, and will give the Gunners defence a tough time assuming Kane is fit.
“Arsenal don’t seem to have leaders at the moment – so when the going gets tough they don’t going. And in attack, since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed his contract… has he been away? It’s just that one goal since the start of November.”
Arsenal’s best chance might come in the potential absence of Harry Kane.
Mourinho plunged his participation into doubt earlier this week by revealing that he’s carrying a knock and it goes without saying that Kane – who has 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season – would be an enormous miss.
But even with Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min available, you still might fancy the hosts.
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