Arsenal are set to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, and they have the chance to make history.
Mikel Arteta is facing several problems ahead of the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Declan Rice and Mikel Merino will miss the game, and captain Martin Odegaard could also join them on the sidelines.
However, after drawing at home to Brighton last weekend, Arsenal know they need to win to keep pace with Manchester City in the title race.
Away wins are not too common for either side in the history of the North London derby, with Arsenal recording just seven wins away at Spurs in the Premier League.
If Arsenal do win, it will be a huge statement given their potential midfield absences, and victory will see them accomplish a feat they have not managed since 1988.
- READ MORE: What is the North London Derby? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal and Tottenham rivalry
Arsenal can record three consecutive wins at Tottenham for first time since 1988
Arsenal have won both their last two trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a dominant 2-0 victory in January 2023 followed by a dramatic 3-2 win towards the end of last season.
If Arsenal win the upcoming clash, they will make it three wins in a row at the ground of their bitter rivals, and this has never happened in the Premier League era.
The last time Arsenal won three consecutive trips to Spurs was between 1987 and 1988. Arsenal won at White Hart Lane five times in a row, with two of the clashes coming in the League Cup.
Arsenal recorded 2-1 victories at Spurs in January and October 1987, before a 3-2 win in the First Division in September 1988.
Paul Gascoigne and Chris Waddle scored for the hosts, but goals from Brian Marwood, Alan Smith and Nigel Winterburn handed George Graham’s side the victory.
Arteta can therefore become the first Arsenal manager since Graham to accomplish this feat, with Arsene Wenger never recording back to back victories away at Spurs.
Arsenal can make statement with North London derby win
Victory in the North London derby is always delightful for Arsenal fans, but a win on this occasion would be even sweeter given that Rice and Odegaard could both be missing.
If Arsenal do win at Spurs for the third time in a row, it would underline the return to dominance in the rivalry for the Gunners.
Arsenal finished above Tottenham for over 20 years in a row, but suffered six years behind their rivals before the last two seasons saw Arteta’s side challenge for the title, and they will hope that a win in such tough circumstances can give them a boost in the title race.
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