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The much anticipated North London derby of the season is finally here. Both Arsenal and Tottenham are full of confidence going into Super Sunday derby day clashes.
Arsenal remain unbeaten in 18 games, while Spurs are also unbeaten since their 1-0 loss to champions Manchester City at Wembley. Tottenham recorded an impressive 1-0 win at the San Siro against Inter Milan in the champions league and are riding on a high.
Arsenal rested a host of first-team regulars for the trip to Ukraine to take on Vorskla Poltava and still recorded an impressive 3-0 away win, despite fielding about 7 youngsters in the first team.
So this contest promises to be an interesting tie. Let us take a look at some of the reasons why this game will be an exciting contest.
#1 The North London Derby Effect
The matches between both sides are always one to remember. The intense rivalry that exists between players of both fans and players alike always makes this fixture an interesting contest.
The bragging rights are also at stake when both clubs meet as one tries to claim supremacy over the other. It is always a feisty encounter. In fact, the last time this encounter ended goalless was on February 8, 2009, at White Hart Lane. So it is hardly an encounter that fails to produce goal(s).
The atmosphere from the fans either at the Emirates or at the home ground of Spurs provides the needed tonic for the players to step up their performance and give their fans something to cheer when the game is over.
#2 The point difference between both teams.
This is the most likely significant factor going into this match and serves as inspiration for both teams. Arsenal currently lie 5th on the table with 27 points, just a point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and most importantly three points behind their arch-rivals Spurs who occupy the third position.
Interestingly, both teams both have a similar goal difference of plus 12 goals, although the Gunners have scored 28 goals in 13 matches compared to Spurs 23 goals.
This means that any kind of win for Arsenal, be it 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 e.t.c, will amount to Arsenal leapfrogging their rivals in third, although that position depends if Chelsea picks a win against Fulham in another London derby that will take place earlier in the day.
This is a huge motivation for both teams going into this encounter.
#3 Lucas Moura looking to prove a point
The Brazilian played under Arsenal manager Unai Emery at PSG, but playing opportunities at PSG were further reduced due to the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at the club. he feels that Emery did not explain to him the reason why he was not getting enough playing time.
He was quoted as saying in The Guardian
“It was very hard, the worst seven months of my life,” he said. “I came from a very good season, I was second top scorer of the team, only behind Cavani. The following season I wasn’t even called up. I used to go to practice, I wasn’t even in the game.
I used to go back home. But I kept working hard. And God gave me the best gift of life, my son [in November 2017].”
Did Emery ever explain why he overlooked him? “No,” Lucas replied. “I need to respect the decision of the coach. I know that it’s difficult for him because he needs to choose 11 players to play. I don’t like to look behind. I like to look forward to what I can do, what I can win"
Though he does not have anything against Emery, he just wants to prove his worth when he plays against the gunners on Sunday.
“I have nothing against Unai. I respect him, he is a very good coach. Sometimes it happens. I don’t know why. I cannot explain to you. But now I am happy here. It’s a new chapter in my life, a new challenge.”
“I believe in my talent,” Moura said. “In my quality. I try to show it to him - at Spurs.
#4 The two managers have a history
The two managers have met previously while they were in Spain. Emery was the coach of Valencia when they had talents like David Silva, David Villa and Juan Mata in their ranks. Pochettino was the coach of Barcelona-based club Espanyol.
The two coaches have both clashed, with Unai Emery still holding the upper hand, though the last meeting between them Pochettino came up tops, beating Unai Emery's Valencia by 4 goals to nil in April 2012.
There seems to be a lot of mutual respect between both coaches, however, that will be put aside when they meet on Sunday in the North London derby.
