Why Arsenal play three times before the North London Derby but Tottenham have a 12-day break

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For Tottenham, focus is on the North London Derby, but for Arsenal, the trip to N17 is currently out of sight.

A lot will happen before the North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as Tottenham just sacked Thomas Frank.

Spurs fans are desperate to see the back of their manager, but Arsenal fans feel the opposite, as their bitter rivals sit down in 16th, just five points above the relegation zone.

While Tottenham decide how to replace Frank, the Gunners will be occupied with three matches.

Why Tottenham have a break before the North London Derby but Arsenal do not

Many fans are asking, why do Spurs have a 12-day break, but Arsenal have a bustling schedule leading up to the derby?

We’ve got you covered.

After Spurs’ loss to Newcastle United on matchday 26 of the Premier League season, a 12-day break commenced for the Lilywhites, leading up to the derby.

In the meantime, Arsenal will face Brentford, their matchday 26 opponent, and then will face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup, a tournament that Tottenham are not in, having been knocked out by Aston Villa.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	ArsenalArsenal	25	17	5	3	49	17	32	56
2	Manchester CityManchester City	25	15	5	5	51	24	27	50
3	Aston VillaAston Villa	25	14	5	6	36	27	9	47
4	Manchester UnitedManchester United	26	12	9	5	47	37	10	45
5	ChelseaChelsea	26	12	8	6	47	30	17	44
6	LiverpoolLiverpool	25	11	6	8	40	35	5	39
7	BrentfordBrentford	25	12	3	10	39	34	5	39
8	EvertonEverton	26	10	7	9	29	30	-1	37
9	BournemouthBournemouth	26	9	10	7	43	45	-2	37
10	NewcastleNewcastle	26	10	6	10	37	37	0	36
11	SunderlandSunderland	25	9	9	7	27	29	-2	36
12	FulhamFulham	25	10	4	11	35	37	-2	34
13	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	25	8	8	9	26	29	-3	32
14	BrightonBrighton	25	7	10	8	34	33	1	31
15	LeedsLeeds	26	7	9	10	36	45	-9	30
16	TottenhamTottenham	26	7	8	11	36	37	-1	29

That accounts for two of the three games Arsenal play during Spurs’ time off, but the third is where the mystery lies.

Three days after playing Wigan, and four days before playing Tottenham, Arsenal face Wolves in the Premier League.

The fixture at Molineux was supposed to be played on week 31 of the season, but due to Arsenal’s participation in the Carabao Cup final, the contest was moved forward.

It means that it’s a busy couple of weeks for the Gunners while their neighbours kick their feet up, but how much of a difference will it really make?

Arsenal will look to extend their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Tottenham are closer to 20th place Wolves than they are to Arsenal in the Premier League table, so on paper, the North London Derby should be a no-contest.

Spurs’ break should give them an advantage of some sort, though Arsenal will fancy their chances regardless, given how much they’ve enjoyed recent visits to N17.

Send us your early North London Derby score predictions, how bold are you feeling?

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You’d have to rewind to four years ago to relive the last time Arsenal lost the North London Derby at Tottenham, which was the agonising season that saw Mikel Arteta’s side finish 5th.

Since then, the Gunners have challenged for the Premier League title, and their improvement is reflected in their form in N17.

North London Derbies are what Arsenal and Spurs fans live for, but when the two sides meet next, all that will be on Arteta’s mind is three points to maintain his side’s title race status.