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Introduction
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After a painful period of behind-closed-doors North London derbies, supporters prepare to arrive at the Emirates Stadium en masse to witness Arsenal and us lock horns on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners enter this game on the back of a 3-0 EFL Cup success against AFC Wimbledon, whereas we needed penalties to get over the line against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Martin Odegaard endeared himself to the Arsenal fans straight away with a goal in last season's Emirates North London derby - although the Gunners faithful were not there to witness it - but plenty in Turf Moor were treated to a slice of Scandinavian magic last weekend. Arsenal's profligacy could have cost them dear once again, but former Real Madrid starlet Odegaard scored a peach of a free kick against Burnley to set Arsenal on their way to a 1-0 before a second-string XI cruised to a 3-0 EFL Cup third – round win over League One outfit AFC Wimbledon.
The Gunners' previous win over Norwich City means that they enter the North London derby on the back of three wins and three clean sheets on the spin – with Arteta reaping the rewards of having his first-choice defenders available - but they remain in a disappointing 13th place in the fledgling standings. After only managing one goal from 17 shots on target against Norwich, Arsenal produced an equally worrying success rate against Burnley - a solitary strike from nine efforts on goal - and failure to put the tie to bed will certainly harm them against their fellow continental chasers.
However, Arsenal have not failed to score in a Premier League meeting at home to us since the turn of the millennium, and given our recent run of form, Arteta's side are the ones with the wind in their sails before Sunday's mouthwatering contest.
In complete contrast, we - who were collecting wins and clean sheets while Arsenal fell to defeats without finding the back of the net - have suffered quite the confidence hit in recent weeks following back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in top-flight action. Nuno sought another memorable return to Molineux in the EFL Cup to rediscover some form ahead of the North London derby, but we threw away a two-goal lead on the night and only progressed against Wolves during a taxing evening in the West Midlands.
However, a positive aspect of that nail-biting EFL Cup clash was Kane’s first domestic goal of the season, with him still awaiting his first strike of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign as he aims to steal the headlines on derby day once again. Owing to our recent setbacks in league action, we have now dropped to seventh in the table and can still only boast a measly three goals - by far the fewest in the top half – but our hosts Arsenal only have two strikes of their own to show for their efforts.
Our two sides boasting five goals between us hardly serves as a cause for optimism for the neutral fans, but in a tale as old as time, form goes out the window on North London derby day as the Emirates crowd gears up for the prospect of another enticing battle between the two great rivals. As mentioned, Arsenal claimed a 2-1 win in this fixture last term during Mourinho’s tenure in charge of us - although we did prevail 2-0 at home a few months prior - and we have won just one of our last 28 away games against Arsenal in the top flight.
Martin Odegaard endeared himself to the Arsenal fans straight away with a goal in last season's Emirates North London derby - although the Gunners faithful were not there to witness it - but plenty in Turf Moor were treated to a slice of Scandinavian magic last weekend. Arsenal's profligacy could have cost them dear once again, but former Real Madrid starlet Odegaard scored a peach of a free kick against Burnley to set Arsenal on their way to a 1-0 before a second-string XI cruised to a 3-0 EFL Cup third – round win over League One outfit AFC Wimbledon.
The Gunners' previous win over Norwich City means that they enter the North London derby on the back of three wins and three clean sheets on the spin – with Arteta reaping the rewards of having his first-choice defenders available - but they remain in a disappointing 13th place in the fledgling standings. After only managing one goal from 17 shots on target against Norwich, Arsenal produced an equally worrying success rate against Burnley - a solitary strike from nine efforts on goal - and failure to put the tie to bed will certainly harm them against their fellow continental chasers.
However, Arsenal have not failed to score in a Premier League meeting at home to us since the turn of the millennium, and given our recent run of form, Arteta's side are the ones with the wind in their sails before Sunday's mouthwatering contest.
In complete contrast, we - who were collecting wins and clean sheets while Arsenal fell to defeats without finding the back of the net - have suffered quite the confidence hit in recent weeks following back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in top-flight action. Nuno sought another memorable return to Molineux in the EFL Cup to rediscover some form ahead of the North London derby, but we threw away a two-goal lead on the night and only progressed against Wolves during a taxing evening in the West Midlands.
However, a positive aspect of that nail-biting EFL Cup clash was Kane’s first domestic goal of the season, with him still awaiting his first strike of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign as he aims to steal the headlines on derby day once again. Owing to our recent setbacks in league action, we have now dropped to seventh in the table and can still only boast a measly three goals - by far the fewest in the top half – but our hosts Arsenal only have two strikes of their own to show for their efforts.
Our two sides boasting five goals between us hardly serves as a cause for optimism for the neutral fans, but in a tale as old as time, form goes out the window on North London derby day as the Emirates crowd gears up for the prospect of another enticing battle between the two great rivals. As mentioned, Arsenal claimed a 2-1 win in this fixture last term during Mourinho’s tenure in charge of us - although we did prevail 2-0 at home a few months prior - and we have won just one of our last 28 away games against Arsenal in the top flight.
Team News
Arsenal are blessed with a fully-fit squad for our visit, with Kieren Tierney given the all-clear after a cramp scare while Granit Xhaka returns from a three-game suspension. It would be harsh to see Albert Sambi lokonga dropped, but Arteta has been sining the praises of Xhaka ahead of this game and could re-introduce the Switzerland international alongside Thomas Partey.
Aaaron Ramsdale should retain the gloves after back-to-back Premier League clean sheets, while Aubameyang will hope to hold his place up top over Lacazette, in spite of the Frenchman boasting four goals from his last six North London derbies.
Meanwhile, Nuno has confirmed that Lucas is back in contention for Sunday, but Bergwijn and Sessegnon both occupy spots in the treatment room.
With Son also fully fit again, Moura could start on the right-hand side of the attack while his South Korean counterpart features on the left, which would see Lo Celso make way.
Ndombele is slowly working his way back into Santo's plans and did score our opener in midweek, but he is the most likely option to drop out for irrepressible lynchpin Hojbjerg
Aaaron Ramsdale should retain the gloves after back-to-back Premier League clean sheets, while Aubameyang will hope to hold his place up top over Lacazette, in spite of the Frenchman boasting four goals from his last six North London derbies.
Meanwhile, Nuno has confirmed that Lucas is back in contention for Sunday, but Bergwijn and Sessegnon both occupy spots in the treatment room.
With Son also fully fit again, Moura could start on the right-hand side of the attack while his South Korean counterpart features on the left, which would see Lo Celso make way.
Ndombele is slowly working his way back into Santo's plans and did score our opener in midweek, but he is the most likely option to drop out for irrepressible lynchpin Hojbjerg
Head-to-Head
We played our first game against Arsenal on Saturday 4th December 1909, in Woolwich, South London before they became our unwanted neighbours. They beat us 1-0 in that game. So the phrase one nil to the Arsenal also has a deep history!
We have played each other 189 times where we have won 60, they 78 with 50 draws.
In the league we have won 54, they 67 with 47 draws
In the League Cup we have won 4, they 7 with 3 draws
In the FA Cup we have won 2, they 4 with none drawn.
We have played each other 189 times where we have won 60, they 78 with 50 draws.
In the league we have won 54, they 67 with 47 draws
In the League Cup we have won 4, they 7 with 3 draws
In the FA Cup we have won 2, they 4 with none drawn.
