Troy Deeney has revealed his belief that Arsenal’s game against Tottenham will be ‘different’ this season because of one man.
The Gunners sit at the summit of the Premier League table, having won five of their opening seven league matches, conceding just three goals in the process.
Meanwhile, Spurs sit third, two points behind their North London rivals, and have won four of their first seven games under new manager Thomas Frank.
While Arsenal are now favourites to win the title, Tottenham are considered genuine candidates to finish in the top four, despite finishing 17th last season.
Troy Deeney says the North London Derby will be ‘different’ this season because of Thomas Frank
Arsenal beat Tottenham twice last season, and in relatively comfortable fashion.
The Lilywhites haven’t overcome the Gunners since May 2022, when Harry Kane scored a brace and Rob Holding was sent off in a top-four defining match.
Mikel Arteta’s side have easily had the upper hand on their rivals, winning five of the last six North London Derbies by an aggregate score of 13-6.
However, Deeney expects things to be ‘different’ in this crunch match this season. Speaking on the Football Exchange, the former Watford striker claimed Thomas Frank being in charge of Spurs will alter proceedings somewhat.
“But from November 23rd, they [Arsenal] play Spurs,” Deeney said.
“I would always expect them to beat Spurs, but it’s a bit of a different game with Thomas Frank in charge.
“On the Wednesday, they [Arsenal] have Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Sunday, they have Chelsea away.
“Now there’s potential for that week to be a wobble.”
Tottenham haven’t actually been that impressive under Thomas Frank
Frank’s side beat Arsenal in pre-season in Hong Kong, courtesy of a solitary goal from Pape Sarr.
However, the Gunners will be in much better shape to defeat Tottenham when the Premier League clash rolls around in November.
The difference between the two sides in the league this season has been night and day, even if the table and results don’t quite reflect this.
| Arsenal and Tottenham’s Premier League Statistics 2025/26 | ||
| Stat | Arsenal (league rank) | Tottenham (league rank) |
| Possession | 57.6% (3rd) | 55.6% (7th) |
| Shots | 105 (2nd) | 77 (13th) |
| Shots Faced | 56 (20th) | 88 (7th) |
| Expected Goals For | 11.9 (4th) | 7.4 (13th) |
| Expected Goals Against | 4.3 (20th) | 8.7 (13th) |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 236 (1st) | 184 (4th) |
As shown by the data above, Arsenal are by far the best team in the league in a number of areas, most notably conceding the fewest shots and the fewest expected goals.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are a somewhat average defensive side on the underlying numbers, while their attacking data places them as the 13th-best offensive team in the league.
The way Frank has his side playing at the moment is not sustainable, and Arsenal will have nothing to worry about when they play them in November.
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