Arteta on Gabriel Jesus almost signing for Spurs
Check out Mikel Arteta’s pre match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Tottenham. Ahead of the North London derby, the Spanish manager reflected on his new star Gabriel Jesus almost signing for rivals Spurs over the summer, and the importance of Edu in the negotiations.
Arsenal vs Tottenham: Line-ups
Arsenal
Tottenham
Arsenal Have Home Advantage
#1
Having successfully avenged their 2-0 loss at the Brentford Community Stadium last year – irking some with their ‘Nice kick about with the boys’ comments – Arsenal ensured that they would head into the international break one point clear of Spurs and Manchester City in first place.
#2
Ending a four-game run without a clean sheet was also a sight for Mikel Arteta’s sore eyes, as his Arsenal side continue to demonstrate a ruthless streak notably absent in teams gone by, even if their only Big Six clash so far this season ended in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.
#3
The hosts have also prevailed in each of their last six Premier League matches at their Emirates headquarters, although they have conceded at least one goal in all of them, and Tottenham’s famed attacking line have more than one incentive to silence the home crowd.
#4
The Lilywhites bounced back from their Champions League disappointment at Sporting Lisbon in perfect fashion versus Leicester, but only two of their last seven competitive matches away from home have ended in victory, and the Emirates is not their happiest hunting ground.
#5
A 3-1 Arsenal triumph in this fixture last season means that Spurs have failed to win any of their last 11 North London derbies away from home in the league, but they served their capital counterparts a slice of humble pie with a 3-0 win in May, and Conte’s crop are not the same side that Nuno Espirito Santo led to their demise at the Emirates last term.
DPP Verdict
Arsenal’s streak of failing to keep clean sheets at home and Tottenham’s consistent run of scoring against the Gunners bodes well for those in white, but a North London derby at the Emirates always seems to galvanise the home support. Arteta’s side could receive numerous fitness boosts, are demonstrating a far more effective ability to press high, and can recover well from in-game setbacks, which should help them to a narrow victory on Saturday against a Tottenham side who still have some questions to answer on the creative front.
