The first North London Derby of 2025 is here, and Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will both be desperate to win this game.
The Gunners have an excellent recent record against their fierce local rivals. Mikel Arteta’s men are unbeaten in their last five and have lost just once in their eight previous meetings.
Arsenal will likely go into the game as slight favourites, but the Gunners have had a disastrous week – losing back-to-back games against Newcastle and Manchester United.
That has increased the pressure ahead of the North London Derby on Wednesday night.
Chris Sutton predicts Arsenal vs Tottenham result
Arsenal have had so many issues this season.
We’re halfway through January and Arteta is yet to have a fully fit squad available at his disposal. To add to that, several refereeing decisions have gone against them and they have been unlucky in front of goal on plenty of occasions as well.
However, despite all of those difficulties, Arsenal are second in the Premier League table – 10 places and 16 points ahead of Tottenham.
That shows the level Arteta’s side are on compared to Spurs, which is why many people see them as the favourites to win the game on Wednesday night.
Chris Sutton has now revealed his prediction, and he thinks Arsenal will beat Tottenham again.
He wrote on BBC Sport: “Arsenal have had a bad week and right now, it looks like Tottenham have a better chance of winning a trophy this season than they do. People are quite rightly pointing out that the Gunners are missing chances and, with Bukayo Saka out injured, they are just lacking that spark in attack.
“Having said all that, maybe they will find it again here, because I think the way Spurs play will suit Arsenal.
“By that, I mean Mikel Arteta’s side can soak up pressure and counter-attack, and even without Saka or a recognised centre-forward, I think they will get chances in this game. It is whether they take them this time. I am backing them to stick a couple away.
“Of course, this derby is really important to Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham in their situation, but the expansive way they play means it is a tall order to expect an unfamiliar defence and new goalkeeper to step up again.
“I do see Spurs scoring, but they give up a lot of chances. Arsenal have to win this game to hang on in the title race, and I think they will.”
Sutton’s prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham
READ MORE: Four current Tottenham players who grew up supporting Arsenal ahead of North London Derby
Eight Arsenal players could miss the North London Derby
Injuries have been a real pain for Arsenal this season, and things got worse on Sunday.
Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off after hurting his knee, while both Jurrien Timber and Jorginho were withdrawn because of what looked like a hamstring issue. Riccardo Calafiori is also sidelined with a muscular problem.
If all of them are ruled out, Arsenal could be without as many as eight players for the game against Tottenham on Wednesday night.
The other four are long-term absentees – Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White.
That is not ideal at all ahead of such a big game, but Arteta still has to deal with it and find a way to beat Tottenham at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
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