Arsenal need to bounce back in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur after dropping points at Wolves.
The Gunners blew their two-goal lead after a shocking performance in the second half at Molineux. It was a terrible display, and they deservedly drew the game.
Arsenal players were visibly disappointed at the full-time whistle, but they have no time to sulk as the derby against Spurs is just three days away.
Mikel Arteta knows he needs to lift his side’s spirits, and he has done so with a challenge for the North London Derby.
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Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal to ‘talk on the pitch’ against Tottenham in the North London Derby
Every North London Derby is a massive game for both Tottenham and Arsenal.
However, the clash has become even more important for the Gunners after back-to-back draws in the Premier League against Brentford and Wolves.
If Arsenal want to have a strong chance of winning the title, they realistically need to win the game at Spurs on Sunday.
After the draw at Molineux, Arsenal manager Arteta sent a rallying cry to his players and challenged them to ‘talk on the pitch’ when they face Tottenham.
He said on Sky Sports: “We need to accept it. We need to be critical of ourselves because it was not good enough. In the league, it is the reality that we have not been consistent over the last few months.
“You have to stand up. When you have a moment of difficulty, we have to show how much we want it and how good we are. We have to stand up.
“There’s a reality that we haven’t been as consistent as we’ve been in the first few months. When you don’t perform at the level that is required, you have to accept it. Now you have to stand up when you have a moment of difficulty.
“We have the perfect game against the Spurs away, to go and show how much we want it and how good we are. That’s what we have to do, talk on the pitch.”
Send us your early North London Derby score predictions, how bold are you feeling?
Tottenham have an advantage over Arsenal ahead of the North London Derby
Arsenal are usually the favourites to beat Tottenham in the North London Derby, and we expect the same again on Sunday.
However, things have aligned nicely for Spurs.
Tottenham could get a new manager’s bounce after appointing Igor Tudor, but the bigger advantage is how fresh they will be going into the game.
Arsenal have played three times since their North London rivals were last involved, which means they are likely to be much more fatigued.
That is not ideal at all, but if Arsenal want to become champions, they will need to listen to their manager and ‘step up’ on Sunday.
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