Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League preview - 5 points to note in the first North London Derby of 18/19

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been, for many decades, fierce rivals.

Of all the London rivalries, this is definitely the strongest, fiercest, and most intense.

Other London clubs, such as Chelsea and West Ham, despise Tottenham for various different reasons. But the overarching enmity exists between Arsenal and Spurs, due to reasons of history and geography.

For those who don't know the origin of the rivalry, the area of Tottenham in North London was is roughly 8-10 miles north of central London, and all the noted sights and attractions like the Palace of Westminster, Tower Bridge, etc. Arsenal was founded in Woolwich, about 6-7 miles east of central London, at the Royal Arsenal - a major munitions factory supplying the British armed forces. Woolwich Arsenal, as the club was named then, moved to its current locale near Islington in North London, and thus was "invading" Tottenham territory.

Sir Henry Norris was Arsenal's Chairman at the time of their moving to North London

There also were allegations of corruption concerning the then Arsenal owner Sir Henry Norris, since Arsenal were promoted to the First Division, whilst Tottenham had finished higher in Second Division and in placement terms were more "worthy" to rise.

These injustices in Spurs' part caused a rivalry existing to the current day.

Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne's famous free-kick vs. Arsenal in 1991

The successes of both clubs have also heightened the rivalry over the years, and occasionally at others' expense. Arsenal has won the league decisively at White Hart Lane twice - in 1971 and 2004 respectively. Tottenham won a noted victory over Arsenal in 1991 - with England legend Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne scoring a wondrous free-kick in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Arsenal won the FA Cup in 1993, and in the process gained revenge for the 1991 defeat by beating Spurs in the semi-final. And Spurs, in winning the League Cup in 2008, defeated Arsenal 5-1 in the semi-final, which to date was their last major trophy win.

Arsenal won the league at White Hart Lane in 1971 - the first part of their famous Double that year

As for this season, both teams are well-poised, both on and off the pitch, and Spurs arguably are the more balanced and organised between them.

Both hold potent attacks, strong midfields, and Spurs possibly are more secure at the back.

However, Tottenham hasn't won at Arsenal since 2010. And they've only won twice at Arsenal in Premier League history, and only three times since 1985. Clearly Arsenal holds dominance at home in this fixture, and the improvements seen under Unai Emery this season will factor.

There may be some key battlegrounds in this game, namely:

• Battle of the attacks
• The midfield crunch
• Can Emery "out-tactic" Poch or vice versa?

What's sure is that the game will be an intriguing one, full of top players, and between two capable sides.

Battle of the attacks

Two world-class forwards - who will have the better game?

Harry Kane has established himself as a major global forward. Son also is a capable wide forward, whilst Eriksen and Alli bring qualities to the Tottenham attack away from goal-scoring.

Arsenal though holds an attack of equivalent firepower. Aubameyang like Kane is a world class striker, with prolificacy in both the Bundesliga and now the Premier League. Lacazette is also a quality forward, and of course, Mesut Ozil is a player with immense quality and tenure.

Which attack is most efficient may ensure the win here, for either team. And victory or defeat may depend on which team can stifle strikers' supply. Both managers need to identity weak-links, build on strengths, and capitalise on any mistakes or boons that arise in the game's duration. The Arsenal and Tottenham attacks are very much prone to scoring at will, though Arsenal has scored more Premier League goals this season than Spurs.

Aubameyang is currently outscoring Kane in the Premier League, and both will be looking to extend their accounts.

With the attacking talent, a 0-0 draw would be a disappointment, that's for sure.

Midfield crunch

It's often said that winning the midfield battle is key to winning any football match.

It may be a cliche, but is a valid point nonetheless. Arsenal's midfield has enhanced this season, with the addition of Torreira, and the development of Guendouzi. Granit Xhaka, being freer to play in his natural role as a deep-lying playmaker, can thus bring the ball forward more, and not be as concerned with pressing and ball-winning. This superior midfield balance that Arsenal possesses, compared to previous seasons, is a factor in their current unbeaten run.

Spurs, on the other hand, have a good midfield balance tried and tested over several years. However, Mousa Dembele isn't available due to injury, whilst Sissoko despite initial detractors has started to perform well. The styles and structures of either midfield are similar, and who can press more, or retain the ball to a higher degree, will be a factor in victory or defeat.

Torreira, Sissoko, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ramsey, Dier, etc. will all hold a key part to play in creating chances, limiting the supply from the opposition, and retaining possession. Who does this the best may win out in the end.

Tactics and "out-tacticting"

Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino are similar managers, based on their methods and practices. Emery is very meticulous tactically and has a plan in dealing with teams and adapting to the opposition. Pochettino has strong man-management, and his capacity to develop and embolden players is well-noted.

Both will need to analyse each others' sides and formulate a plan to out-do the other. This is a given in most games - naturally. But given the apparent closeness between the two, it's imperative that the tactics are exact and accurate.

Whilst the defence and midfield will be key areas, from an Arsenal standpoint, pushing back Tottenham's full-backs and Son/Eriksen will be priorities. For Spurs, Bellerin/Kolasinac are dangerous going forward, whilst Iwobi and Ozil play just behind the forwards in the inside-channels and number 10 spaces. It's intriguing to see how this will develop, and also the in-game management of either has to be above par. Emery has demonstrated that he can react to various scenarios arising, and this may prove crucial.

Prediction

Both Arsenal and Tottenham are well-matched in various areas.

Neither has performed optimally this season, but have both managed to gain results when needed. However, Tottenham may struggle to get through in the Champions League, should Barca opt to treat the final game seriously. It's possible that both may meet again in the Europa League - who knows? They are already meeting in the League Cup, later this month.

A defeat for either side, bar bragging rights, would not be terminal for each team's aims this season. But I believe that Arsenal's more potent attack (in terms of goals scored in the league), and the fact that I am a Gooner and I cannot predict any other possible result in THIS game amongst others, pushes me towards an Arsenal win.

Though I believe it will be tight, and we won't all see a repeat of the famous 5-2, or 4-4, games.

I would pop for Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur.