North London derby preview: Tottenham Hotspur and Postecoglou prepare for Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou will be buzzing heading into the hotly anticipated North London derby this weekend away at Arsenal. Only Manchester City have made a perfect start to their league campaign this season, with Spurs and Arsenal lingering in the hope they drop points. City seem unstoppable, but the derby this weekend still promises to tell us where Spurs and ‘Big Ange’ are really headed.

Sheffield United were dramatically put to the sword last weekend in a chaotic late defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison put the Blades to the sword after a spirited performance from the newly promoted side. Spurs will have known that anything less than a win would’ve spelt disaster as Arsenal and Liverpool loom. The despair Spurs fans felt quickly morphed into euphoria as the game tuned on its head.

The game this weekend in N5 will indicate just how far Spurs have come after the tumultuous summer of upheaval they have experienced. Arteta and Arsenal head into the game on the back of a determined 1-0 win away at Everton. Arsenal are street smart under the Spaniard, and will be confident Spurs can be swatted aside at home in the derby. Both sides of the Seven Sister divide will be confident heading into what is always the biggest game of the season in London. However, defeat for Arsenal at home would present a serious shock. 2010-11 under the guidance of Harry Redknapp was the last time Tottenham won away at Arsenal. Last season they failed to muster even a point against their ultimate foe.

The derby is always an indication of which side is leading the light in North London. The balance of power in the Premiership era has firmly been in the red part of town, but that has swayed back and forth more prominently in the past half a dozen seasons. Arsenal have become a force to be reckoned with once again under former player Arteta. Tottenham will know they enter the game firmly as underdogs.

Since the 1970’s, Spurs have always gone to Arsenal with a point to prove and a disappointment at how Arsenal play their football. The ‘boring boring 1-0 to the Arsenal’ chants a common feature among the Spurs faithful, Tottenham taking pride in the manner they played the game, whilst Arsenal hoovered trophies up at Highbury. This weekend will see two sides absolutely committed to beautiful goofball going toe to toe. A draw for either would be underwhelming. Defeat for either is immediate disatster, although the pressure is more with the home side. Whatever happens, expect passion, goals and tempers flaring this coming Sunday.