This North London Derby may be very different to what we’ve seen in recent years

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It’s time for Arsenal and Tottenham to clash for the first time this season, but what is to be expected from the North London Derby?

The Arsenal squad are ready for the North London Derby, the fixture that every fan looks for when the schedule is released.

If bragging rights weren’t a big enough incentive to win, Arsenal also have a chance to take a step forward in the Premier League title race after Liverpool and Manchester City lost.

Mikel Arteta will head into the game with confidence, having won 63% of his North London Derbies as Arsenal manager; however, this time, things could be different.

• READ MORE: Four Tottenham players who grew up supporting Arsenal ahead of North London Derby

The North London Derby may not deliver goals

Thomas Frank made a dig at Eberechi Eze ahead of the derby, as the fighting talk was turned up a notch in the pre-match press conferences.

Though the temperature is rising, the actual event could be a lot different to what fans have become accustomed to in recent years.

Arsenal boast a 10-5 aggregate scoreline over Spurs in their previous five Premier League meetings, only failing to score more than once in one of those matches.

The narrative could change on Sunday due to what the two teams possess and miss at this moment in time.

Arsenal could be without Viktor Gyokeres, one goalscoring presence, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus also doubts.

Without an available striker, the goals could be limited, not only for that reason, but also because of how Frank has improved Tottenham.

The Danish coach is far more pragmatic than Ange Postecoglou, tightening Spurs up at the back, giving Arsenal an additional test without a number nine.

It’s not only Arsenal whose output in front of goal could be less, as, while Tottenham are improving defensively, in attack, there’s still a lot to be desired.

Spurs’ front three of Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Randal Kolo Muani have a combined one goal between them in the Premier League this season, with things still waiting to click in the final third.

We’ve been treated to some high-scoring North London Derbies in recent years, but on matchday 12, the trend could change.

Tony Pulis predicts how the North London Derby could play out

The data is there for all to see, but everyone knows that when it comes to a derby match, past form and trends can go out of the window.

That’s the stance that Tony Pulis has on the game, as in his column for BBC Sport, the former Premier League manager gave his expert opinion on what could unfold, echoing that there could be a lack of goals.

“Sunday might not see the kind of high-scoring game we have been used to when these two teams have met in recent years,” Pulis wrote.

“The fixture has averaged more than three goals per game over the past five seasons – but it is a north London derby, so anything can happen!”

An influx of goals isn’t needed to make the North London Derby a memorable occasion, just ask Arsenal, whose 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season was ever so sweet. 

Many goals or a few goals, Arteta won’t care, with the only thing that matters being three points.