Tottenham Hotspur will host Arsenal in the first North London derby of the 2024/25 Premier League season on Sunday, September 15. The match is set to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with both teams eager to claim crucial points early in the season. Arsenal have had a strong start and remain unbeaten, currently sitting in 4th place on the points table. However, they will face a significant challenge due to several absences in their squad. Captain Martin Ødegaard is sidelined for three weeks with an ankle injury sustained during international duty. Declan Rice is suspended after receiving a red card in their recent win against Brighton, and summer signings Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori are also expected to miss the match due to injury concerns. These setbacks may force Arsenal to rely on younger or less experienced players as they look to maintain their unbeaten run.
On the other hand, Tottenham, under new manager Ange Postecoglou, have struggled for consistency in the opening weeks of the season. A 4-0 victory over Everton showed flashes of their potential, but that performance was followed by a disappointing draw against Leicester and a loss to Newcastle. The North London derby, however, always carries a unique energy, and Spurs will see this match as an opportunity to reignite their season. Securing a victory over their fierce rivals would not only boost morale but could also be a turning point in their campaign.
This rivalry is steeped in history, with Arsenal generally holding the upper hand. Out of the 195 encounters between the two teams, Arsenal have won 82 matches, while Tottenham have claimed victory in 61, with 52 ending in a draw. In the Premier League era, this will be the 65th meeting between the two clubs. Last season, Arsenal won the derby 3-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after a 2-2 draw at the Emirates. Spurs, however, have lost 5 of their last 7 matches against Arsenal, a record they will be determined to change.
Despite their contrasting starts to the season, derbies have a way of defying form, and this encounter is expected to be fiercely contested. For Tottenham, this is a chance to capitalize on Arsenal's injury woes and regain local bragging rights. Arsenal, though, will be determined to continue their strong form and keep their unbeaten record intact, despite the challenges they face with a weakened squad.
The North London derby has always been one of the Premier League’s most highly anticipated fixtures, and this installment is no different. Both teams are vying for more than just three points; they are fighting for pride, momentum, and the upper hand in one of football’s fiercest rivalries. Arsenal, with a depleted squad, will look to maintain their early-season momentum, while Tottenham will hope to use this match as a springboard to ignite their campaign and claim a crucial victory over their arch-rivals.
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