The North London Derby, a wonderful game of football! This time the stakes are high, besides the honour of claiming North London. After all, Arsenal are currently the leaders in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur is battling Manchester United, among others, for Champions League placement.
The last London Premier League champion dates back to 2017, when Chelsea won under the leadership of Antonio Conte. Chelsea have had to uphold London honours since Arsenal‘s last title in 2004. This season, The Gunners are finally back in the race to win that magnificent trophy, under the leadership of coach Mikel Arteta.
For Tottenham Hotspur, any prize would be welcome. Since the FA Cup and the Community Shield in 1991, only League Cup wins followed in 1999 and 2008. A ticket to the Champions League is necessary to keep growing, and to keep club icon Harry Kane. A win over Arsenal in this heated derby would obviously do any Spurs fan some good.
Betting Markets Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal
Winner
The difference in the league table between the two London clubs is 11 points (and one less game) in Arsenal’s favour. But of course, a derby is always an exciting match. That is why the bookmakers may give their favour to Arsenal, but not by much. Some put 2.10 on an away win by The Gunners, and 3.35 on an important win by Spurs. A draw is slightly higher at 3.65.
Scorers
One of the biggest ‘fans’ of the North London Derby is Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. The goal-scoring machine already stands at 14 goals in games against Arsenal. His South Korean mate Son Heung-min has put in five goals. At Arsenal, coach Mikel Arteta relies mainly on his Brazilian striker named Gabriel. This season, Gabriel Martinelli stands on seven league goals and Gabriel Jesus on five. Don’t discount midfielder Martin Ødegaard either.
Goals
Going into Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal matches we almost always guarantees a substantial number of goals. On average, over three goals fall per game from both clubs. This also came out in the first match at the Emirates Stadium when it was 3-1 for Arsenal. More than 2.5 goals is therefore at 1.74, more than 3.5 goals even at 2.85.
Both teams score
Resonant with the betting market above is ‘both teams score’. The average result per match of Arsenal and Spurs is 2-1. With a previous result of 3-1, it’s best to place a bet on ‘both teams score’ with odds of 1.60. ‘Arsenal win and keep the zero’ is at 4.00.
Tottenham Hotspur
Current shape
The 2022 World Cup, Christmas and New Year’s Eve did Tottenham Hotspur no favours. Coach Antonio Conte’s team first played a 2-2 draw against Brentford after trailing 2-0. A 0-2 defeat at home against Aston Villa followed on New Year’s Day. Three days later, the club recovered with a 4-0 win at Crystal Palace (two goals Harry Kane). Last weekend, Spurs won 1-0 against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
Highlights
Harry Kane is an all-time top scorer of the English team along with Wayne Rooney, with 53 goals. At Tottenham Hotspur, he has scored 265 goals in 412 games. Unfortunately, this is also matched by zero club awards. He is, of course, the player that needs to be neutralised by Arsenal’s defence. Richarlison was good for a couple of stunning goals at the World Cup, but has yet to hit the target in the Premier League this season. Can he do it now against Arsenal?
Worth knowing
Tottenham Hotspur will have to distribute forces well in the coming weeks. Four days after the game with Arsenal, they have to go to that other title contender, Manchester City. Indeed, two weeks later, City visit London again for their second meeting in the league. Unlike Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur is still active in Europe, namely in the Champions League where they face off against AC Milan on 14 February.
Arsenal
Current shape
Arsenal resumed the Premier League with two wins. On Boxing Day, The Gunners won 3-1 at home against West Ham United. On New Year’s Eve, a 4-2 win on a visit to Brighton & Hove Albion followed. Hopes of the national title received a small dent last week, when Arsenal failed to go beyond 0-0 against Newcastle United.
Highlights
Coach Mikel Arteta has not two, but even three Brazilian Gabriels in his squad who are doing well. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus together scored 12 goals so far in the Premier League. Defender Gabriel Magalhães played all games and scored twice. In midfield, he relies mainly on two mainstays. Bukayo Saka had a good World Cup for England and has already scored six goals for Arsenal this season. Norwegian Martin Ødegaard did not play a World Cup and will hopefully be fit as a result, as he is already performing strong with seven goals this season.
Worth knowing
Arsenal are doing extremely well this season, and that is particularly because it is mainly supported by younger players. Of the 40 goals Arsenal have scored this season, only five have come from players over the age of 25. Granit Xhaka (30) scored three, Thomas Partey (29) scored twice. Half of Arsenal’s goals came from 24-year-old Ødegaard (7) and 21-year-olds Gabriel Martinelli (7) and Bukayo Saka (6).
History Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal
History & Rivalry
Both clubs see each other as the biggest rival, mainly because they are both from north London. Incidentally, that did not happen until 1913, when Arsenal moved to the north of the city. Highbury and White Hart Lane, the former Arsenal and Spurs stadiums, were six kilometres apart. Arsenal is the more successful club of the two and they like to rub it in. Since 2002, St Totteringham’s Day has existed among Arsenal fans. That is the matchday on which Tottenham Hotspur mathematically cannot finish above Arsenal in the Premier League.
Statistics
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have met a total of 192 times in official matches in over 100 years. Arsenal won 80 encounters, Spurs 61 and there were 51 draws. In terms of goals, it is closer: 293 – 256 in Arsenal’s favour. Tottenham Hotspur can look back on a strong run at home, though. In the last eight home games, they have not lost to Arsenal. Conversely, Spurs managed to win only once on a visit to Arsenal since 1993.
Betting on Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal
Of course, there are plenty of options to bet on Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal. But what are the best bets to make?
Prediction
There are two conflicting statistics when predicting this heated derby. On the one hand, Arsenal are 11 points higher, with one less game played. On the other hand, Tottenham have already failed to lose eight home games in a row against Arsenal. We are therefore taking two bets with small stakes: on a draw and also on a goal from Harry Kane.
Top 3 memorable matches
April 14 1991: Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal 3-1
In the 1990-91 season, Arsenal won its tenth league title in England. The club also hoped to grab the FA Cup double. In the semi-finals, they met city rival Tottenham Hotspur. ‘Bad boy’ Paul Gascoigne opened the scoring for Spurs with a superb free kick from 30 yards. Gary Lineker doubled the score to 2-0 moments later. Later on, the current BBC presenter would also make it 3-1. As a result, 14 April was renamed ‘St Hotspur Day’ by Spurs fans.
November 13 2004: Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal 4-5
After The Invincibles’ season (champions without defeat), Arsenal went in search of a second league title in a row. In November, The Gunners went to visit Tottenham Hotspur. The match was to be a real thriller. At half-time, the score was only 1-1, but after tea, things went wild at White Hart Lane with goals.
February 26 2012: Tottenham Hotspur – Arsenal 2-5
One of the finest comebacks came to Arsenal’s name in early 2012. At home, Arsène Wenger’s team found themselves trailing 0-2. In part due to a hit penalty by former player Emmanuel Adebayor, after a Gareth Bale kick. At half-time, however, it was already 2-2, due to a goal by Robin van Persie. After half-time, Arsenal finished it all off. Interestingly, the same result was on the scoreboard in the same match in November that year.
