Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has now shared his verdict on whether Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur will finish higher in the Premier League table this season.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are fierce local rivals. Both clubs will be desperate to get one over on the other this season.
When they met in a Premier League clash earlier in the campaign at the Emirates Stadium, it ended in a 2-2 draw after a dramatic game.
Both clubs will also be relatively pleased with how the first half of the season went.
New manager Ange Postecoglou has reinvigorated Spurs. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta guided the Gunners to the top of the table by Christmas Day. However, a recent run of poor form has seen Arsenal lose ground in the title race and slip down the table a few places.
Arsenal currently sit in fourth-place, level on points with fifth-place Spurs. Albeit, the Gunners do still have a game in hand over their rivals.
As such, the two north London clubs now find themselves engaged in very direct competition. However, Arsenal will still believe that they are in the title race, and for good reason. They will be hoping to pull clear of Spurs again over the course of the coming weeks.
As for Spurs, they will be aiming to secure a return to Champions League football. However, Postecoglou will recognise what it will mean to the club’s fans to finish ahead of Arsenal in the table come the end of the season.
Will Arsenal finish above Spurs?
Now, Jamie Carragher has shared his prediction on which of these two clubs will claim bragging rights over the other come the end of the campaign. Speaking on Stick to Football, he said, “I don’t see Tottenham finishing above Liverpool or Arsenal. I don’t see that. I think Tottenham will be battling with Aston Villa for top four or five this season.”
At the start of the season, Arsenal were certainly favourites to finish above Spurs. Now, there is real pressure on them to do so. For now, though, Arteta won’t be worried about that. His focus will be on turning around his team’s ailing form and getting them back into the title race.
Carragher’s fellow pundit Gary Neville tipped Arsenal for the title this season. The Gunners can still achieve that aim, but they must get back to winning ways against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Failure to do so will mean that it really is time to panic.
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