Do Spurs Finally Have The Edge On Arsenal?
Tottenham Hotspur face Arsenal on Sunday and for the first time in recent years, the White Hart Lane club goes into the north London derby as firm favourites.
It has been many years since Tottenham fans have expected, rather than hoped to collect three points from their local rivals. Thanks to a disappointing early summer transfer window and a turbulent start to the season; it seemed both clubs were heading into a season of discontent.
Tottenham’s spirits though have been raised by three wins in a row, especially the way in which they drove Liverpool to self destruct after only 25 minutes.
Arsenal meanwhile may have qualified for the Champions League group stages and beat Bolton last weekend, but the doubts still remain about their defence and midfield options. Arsene Wenger’s team for the first time in his tenure appears disjointed and confused.
Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to a resilient Chairman in Daniel Levy, kept their best players this summer, and even managed to offload a few who had been left behind by Spurs’ steady progress under manager Harry Redknapp.
The Red half of north London, however, has had to absorb the loss of four their five marquee players. Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasir have been sold, whilst Thomas Vermaelen and Jack Wilshere are in the treatment room. The latest news on young Wilshere is that it will be 2012 at least before he is seen playing at the Emirates. For a midfield already stripped of talent, this is a hammer blow to Wenger’s plans.
Despite these issues, Arsenal remain a dangerous team, the speed and trickery of Gervinho and Theo Walcott, combined with captain Robin van Persie offer hope to the Gunners. Spurs, however, seem to possess greater fire power across the park in former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor, Rafa Van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. Marauding fullback Kyle Walker showed at Wigan last week, that even without Aaron Lennon, Spurs’ right side remains a threat.
However, before Spurs fans start adding three points to their Premier League total, it must be remembered that the Lillywhites often claimed a point or three against far superior Arsenal teams. Redknapp will do well to side with caution and play Scott Parker alongside mohawk and gum shield wielding Sandro.
Both clubs were spared the hassle of European travel as the duo played host to foreign opposition. Spurs, however, hold a slight advantage that they were able to give key first team players a rest against a resilient Shamrock Rovers. The Irish minnows for ten minutes looked like they were about to pull of a major shock, before three goals in 10 minutes gave the Lillywhites the victory their possession deserved. Arsenal also collected a well earned three points against Greek side Olympiakos, but Wenger didn’t have the luxury of resting too many of his first team.
Last weekend againstBolton, Van Persie, notched up his 100th goal for the Gunners, but his recent comments in the press will have sounded the alarm bells for Wenger and Co. Both clubs have learnt to their cost that when a player says there is no rush, it means they are already looking elsewhere.
Arsenal must win at White Hart Lane if they are to convince their Dutch captain and now talisman, their early season form was just a blip and his future lies with them.
Tottenham, meanwhile, must take full advantage of their new found confidence and convincingly beat their rivals who for 16 years have been celebrating St. Totteringham’s Day.
Anthony Lombardi regularly contributes to Soccerlens. You can follow him on Twitter @arlombardi.
Topics: Arsenal, English Premier League, Features, Match Reports, Tottenham
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