The standout fixture in the Premier League this weekend undoubtedly comes at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal play host to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the latest north London derby.
The Gunners will be determined to pick up three points not only for the bragging rights over their local neighbours, but also to improve on what has been a disappointing start to their top flight season.
Arsene Wenger’s side have already lost four of their 11 matches, and they lie four points and three places between Spurs in the standings.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have been beaten twice – by Chelsea and Manchester United – and they will be hoping to get the win to keep the pressure on runaway leaders Manchester City and try and compete for the Premier League title for the third successive campaign.
While Arsenal were considered to be top dog over Tottenham for many years, that certainly seems to have changed in recent seasons.
Here are ten moments where the balance of power changed in north London…
Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham (November 20, 2010)
Arsenal had the chance to go top of the Premier League table with a win when they hosted Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in November 2010, and it seemed to be a likely outcome seeing as Spurs hadn’t won a league match away against their arch-rivals since 1993.
The Gunners were well on course to extend that record after taking a 2-0 lead, but three second-half goals from Gareth Bale, a penalty from Rafael van der Vaart and a late Younes Kaboul winner ensured that Tottenham picked up all three points.
It is certainly a result that will have given them more confidence of picking up a positive result when they visit their local neighbours.
Tottenham beat Arsenal to Vertonghen
After establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe with Ajax, Vertonghen had announced that he was ready to join a Premier League club in the summer of 2012, with Tottenham and Arsenal among the teams interested in signing him.
The Belgium international admitted that Spurs were his first-choice destination though as he would be used at centre-back there, and they eventually won the race to bring him to England.
The 30-year-old has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League, helping Tottenham have one of the best defences in the top flight.
Mauricio Pochettino appointed Spurs manager
Pochettino was appointed as the new Tottenham manager in May 2014 after leading Southampton to their highest-ever finish of eighth in the Premier League, and he succeeded Tim Sherwood who had guided Spurs to sixth.
The Argentine helped the north London outfit finish fifth in his first season in charge, and his style of football and impact really started to have an effect the following campaign when they came third with 70 points, having challenged eventual champions Leicester City for the majority of the year.
They came even closer last term with an admirable total of 86 points and a second-placed finish, and Pochettino looks to be creating a side that will win the Premier League title for the first time sooner rather than later.
Kane rocks the North London Derby
Tottenham came into their Premier League clash against Arsenal at White Hart Lane in February two points behind their rivals in the table, and it looked as though it was about to be extended to five when Mesut Ozil gave the visitors the lead.
However, two second-half goals from Harry Kane rocked Arsene Wenger’s men and took Pochettino’s side above the Gunners in the table, and the England international has certainly proved any of the doubters that labelled him a ‘one-season wonder’ wrong since then.
Tottenham sign Toby Alderweireld
Tottenham completed the signing of Alderweireld for a reported fee of £11.4m in the summer of 2015 after the Belgian enjoyed a successful loan spell with Premier League rivals Southampton.
Having conceded 53 goals in 38 top flight games in the 2014/15 season it was clear that they needed reinforcements, and Spurs have only conceded 61 league goals in the two campaigns since.
While Alderweireld has formed a strong partnership with Vertonghen and established himself as one of the centre-backs in the top flight, Arsenal have brought in the likes of Gabriel, Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi.
While the former has already departed, the jury is still very much out on the other two with full-back Nacho Monreal often featuring at centre-back.
Tottenham beat Arsenal to Alli
Ahead of the north London derby back in April, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed that he had scouted Dele Alli on many occasions before Tottenham signed the impressive attacking midfielder from MK Dons in 2015.
Having seen how he has developed and been a revelation since – the 21-year-old has scored 31 goals in 80 Premier League games and become a key player for England – the Gunners boss will probably be regretting not snapping him up when he had the chance.
Tottenham 2-0 Arsenal (April 30, 2017)
It was the final ever north London derby at White Hart Lane, and as well as marking that occasion with a victory Tottenham also knew that they would finish above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years if they took all three points.
Two goals in three second-half minutes from Dele Alli and Harry Kane ensured that they did that, with the Gunners collapsing when they needed it the least.
While Spurs finished second, Arsene Wenger’s men missed out on the top four and Champions League qualification for the time in the Frenchman’s 21-year reign as manager.
Arsene Wenger signs a new deal
After missing out on the Champions League the pressure was beginning to build on Arsene Wenger and many supporters probably would have been happy to see him go in order for someone new to come in with fresh ideas.
However, the Frenchman signed a new two-year deal to stay at the Emirates in May and it certainly wouldn’t have been met with happiness by some Arsenal supporters, who have expressed their thoughts on wanting him out on various banners in recent seasons.
While Pochettino appears to be building a project at Tottenham, it remains to be seen whether Wenger can take the Gunners back to the success they have enjoyed in the past.
Player contract situations
While Tottenham have shown some forward planning by tying down key players like Dele Alli, Jan Vertonghen, Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris down to new long-term deals, Arsenal could be set to lose two of their best players for nothing next summer.
The contracts of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil expire at the end of the season and with no progress on extending either one, the Gunners have left themselves in a difficult position where they could lose two players that have been so important to them at the same time.
Tottenham’s new stadium
Arsenal’s move to the Emirates from Highbury in 2006 was meant to increase the Gunners’ income and see them compete for the best players in the transfer market, and while that may have happened on occasions they have no Premier League trophy to show for it.
Tottenham may have also felt that White Hart Lane was holding them back in a similar regard and their move to their new home next summer – which is cheekily set to have a very slightly larger attendance than the Emirates – could allow a team that is already going places to push on ever further.
[ad_pod ]