By Joseph Laleye
Week 6 in Focus: Arsenal VS Tottenham
The Premier League returns this weekend with some interesting fixture, but the star match of the weekend is Arsenal hosting Tottenham Hotspurs.
This is the first North London derby of the season that takes place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2023. Kick off time is 2pm.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham are still unbeaten this season with 13 points each in five matches with both teams currently sitting in the top four.
Arsenal are ready to challenge Manchester City for the Premier league title this season and after a gun blazing performance in the Champions league on Wednesday night where they white-washed Psv Eindoven four goals to nil.
They will be brimming with confidence coming into the North London derby.
Tottenham, on the other hand, has a new manager (Ange Postecoglou) who has drastically transformed the team in a very short time with high pressing attacking football.
One of the highlights of their season so far was beating Manchester United 2-0.
They are ready to challenge for a top four finish this season.
Two important key battles of the match will be in the midfield and the attack.
whoever triumphed in the midfield and took his chances in the attacking third would get the North London bragging rights.
The best player right now at Tottenham is James Maddison, who was bought from Leicester City this season for 40 million pounds. He has been so excellent and was named Premier League Player of the month for August.
Maddison will be coming face to face with Arsenal midfield maestro and captain Martin Odegaard, who has been one of Arsenal best player and Arsenal joint top Premier League goalscorer this season so far.
With these two midfield players on top form, expect an entertaining and high goal scoring match.
However, in a clash between two strong sides with attacking prowess, the outcome winner of the match can go either way. The ones that take his chances win the match. It is sure going to be a fierce and entertaining North London derby.
Players to watch: Maddison and Son for Tottenham Hotspur.
Odegaard, Trossard, and Saka for Arsenal.
Match Fact
Spurs have won only two of their 31 Premier League visits to the Gunners, drawing 11 and losing 18.
H2H Premium League
Match: 172
Arsenal won: 70
Tottenham won: 55
Draw: 47
Last Two Previous Matches Between Them
January 15, 2023:
Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal.
October 1, 2022: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham
I predict a 2-2 Stalement.
Laleye Joseph is BrandiQ’s Senior Sport Correspondent. He is a Unilag graduate of Public Administration