Game Week 21 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Tottenham

Arsenal hosts Tottenham in a crucial North London Derby. Can the Gunners bounce back from recent defeats or will Spurs find their form? Match preview

Arsenal's title hopes can receive a big boost with a win over Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday but, will Spurs let them run out winners? (Photo credit: Opta)

 

Arsenal vs. Tottenham

Emirates Stadium

9:00 pm

Last weekend, Arsenal suffered yet another home loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup, following a dismal performance at home in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals.

Tottenham is in the abyss, needing extra time to defeat non-league side Tamworth in the FA Cup, making it a game between two wounded teams with a point to prove. This is the latest installment of the North London Derby!

Arsenal is at a critical juncture; Gabriel Jesus, having torn his anterior cruciate ligament, will not be able to play again this year, leaving the Gunners with a short upfront lineup due to the long-term absence of Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.

The injury crisis at Tottenham is easing up; Ange Postecoglou is unsure about who will be available from the injured list, but Richarlison is fit and available for selection against Arsenal. Having any of their defensive stalwarts back for this game will be a big boost for the visitors.

Arsenal has dominated this fixture in the last few seasons; the white half of London hasn’t tasted a win in this fixture since the 2021/2022 season, with a point the only thing Spurs can show for the five games they have played against Arsenal since then.

The reverse fixture ended 1-0 in favor of the Gunners, with Gabriel Magalhães heading home the winner; Tottenham didn't do anything in the game to earn a result and could have played the game for two more hours without finding a goal.

Tottenham looked pathetic against Tamworth at the weekend, but they would take confidence in their 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. Can they reenact that against the Gunners at the Emirates, where Arsenal has struggled recently?

Who are the players to watch out for? Arsenal will hope that the flashes of brilliance seen in Raheem Sterling against Manchester United remain permanent, while Kai Havertz would look into the mirror after that horrible performance; it was his worst in an Arsenal shirt.

Midfield battle will be key. Mikel Arteta anticipates fielding a midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, and Martin Odegaard, while Yves Bissouma and Pape Mata Sarr will lead the visitors, with Rodrigo Bentancur out due to concussion procedures.

A victory for the Gunners will bring them to within four points of Liverpool; this is a significant motivator for the Gunners, given that Spurs appear to have given up on the league season and are now concentrating on cup success. However, this is a derby, so expect a fierce encounter.

Verdict: Arsenal is to win.