23 September 2021, 20:00
The first North London derby of the 2021/22 season takes place at a time when neither club are considered to be at the height of their powers.
Derby day can wash away difficult starts
Neither club are realistically expected by fans to challenge at the top end of the table. Arsenal have started to pick up form but still are yet to score more than one goal in a Premier League game this season. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are still reeling from a protracted summer transfer saga involving star striker Harry Kane, who reportedly felt he had to leave to win trophies before deciding to stay when a rumoured move to Manchester City failed to materialise.
All of this background drama, of course, tends to fall away when a local derby comes around. In these games, often the rules and logic don't apply.
Will big names rise to the occasion?
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have scored a couple of times so far this season; they are likely to carry the weight of their team's ambitions on their shoulders. This game represents the perfect test of their true scoring credentials under pressure.
On the Spurs side, this is another chance for Gareth Bale to step up and show a glimpse of the superstar that once earned a record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid; something he has arguably failed to do since his anticipated return to North London. Harry Kane has similarly failed to set the league alight since his summer drama and will need to start scoring soon if he is to earn another Premier League golden boot in 2022.
Even without their main headline-stealers, it's worth remembering other dangerous players in the Spurs line-up, including South Korean national team captain Son Heung-min. His threat among others may make Tottenham slight favourites for this North London derby despite being the away team.
They would underestimate their rivals (sure to be backed by close to 60,000 passionate fans) at their peril though. As has been said, this is one particular match in which anything could happen and firm predictions are likely to be upended.
Live Arsenal says: Arsenal 3-2 Tottenham