Since Tomas Rosicky’s astonishing goal inside the first two minutes of the North London derby at White Hart Lane on the 16th of March 2014, Arsenal have been without a win in the league away to their neighbours and even so at the new Tottheham Hotspur London Stadium.
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates scoring their side’s second goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Since Spurs moved to the new London Stadium, the Gunners have lost each of their two visits, and another loss on Thursday will see them equal their longest losing run away to Tottenham in almost 61 years in league meetings.
However, a win for the Gunners will completely change the narrative of both their seasons and what has been the case in the last few seasons.
Arsenal has never finished above Spurs in the league since the 2015-16 season, when they sealed a second place finish, moving above their neighbour on the final day of the season, after Spurs lost 5-1 to already relegated Newcastle United.
That season, also marked the last time the Gunners has finished in the top four so has never played in the Champions League since the start of the 2017-18 season.
Howbeit after their laboured 2-1 win over 10man Leeds United on Sunday, Mikel Arteta side can now change the narrative with a win against Spurs on Thursday evening at the London Stadium.
It’s been ups and downs for the two clubs in the battle for a Champions League spot this season with Tottheham Hotspur previously in pole position to qualify but Arsenal’s good end to the year helped them overcome their poor start to the season.
And after their remarkable run between February and March, they started to dream of securing Champions League football next season with a top four finish.
In actual fact, the Gunners at that time had the opportunity to move ahead of Chelsea as well but after a three consecutive loss at the start of April, they completely surrendered the advantage to their London rivals.
However, Spurs, who won four in a row between March and April to overtake Arsenal could not maintain their advantage and again find themselves in fifth after losing at home to Brighton and drawing at Brentford.
However, they showed real character and determination in their last game at Anfield, earning a massive draw against title chasing Liverpool, to help boost their chances of securing a top four finish.
Nonetheless, Arsenal will head to the London Stadium on Thursday evening knowing a win will see them qualify for Champions League, finish above Spurs and complete the double over a top six team in the league this season.
It will be the best way there is for The Gunners to announce their return to Europe’s top club competition as they have come short against the big boys this season, which is not very good advertisment for a side dreaming of success in the biggest competitions.
They have lost home and away to Liverpool and Manchester City, results that in the end now have them struggling to make the top four because Tottenham Hotspur on the other hand earned eight points against the two heavyweights while avoiding defeat.
Chelsea were also able to avoid defeat against Liverpool, drawing both legs while beating Tottenham home and away did them a world of good to remain in a position to secure Champions League qualification.
Arsenal also have to mark the end to their season with this big win as it will be a huge statement ahead of their playing in the Champions League next season.
Tomas Rosicky scored the only goal the last time Arsenal won away to Tottenham Hotspur in the league.
The Gunners has won each of their last four games, including two London derbies away to Chelsea and West Ham United but after the showing Tottheham put up at Anfield on Saturday evening, a tougher test awaits them on Thursday.
Tottheham has won just one in their last four games but a derby match is not always about who has been in better form. Tottenham boast the likes of Harry Kane and Hueng-Min Son who could be really devasting to play against alongside Dejan Kulusevski, and an Arsenal defense without a clean sheet in seven games will surely be tested.
Speaking after the win over Leeds United, Mikel Arteta took time to provide update on Ben White, who has missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury.
“I think so [he’ll be available against Tottenham]. He’s starting to do a little bit of work on the pitch. We want everyone available.”
Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney continue to miss out for Arsenal while Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp, Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilon are also out injured.
This will be the first meeting between Antonio Conte and Mikel Arteta as managers and with the stake of the game, their biggest match on their current jobs and Arteta will take it all with a win on enemies ground.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
