Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refuted claims that his team are now seen as the underdogs against Tottenham Hotspur. In an interview ahead of this weekend’s North London Derby, he insisted that Arsenal are more than capable of beating their fierce rivals.
“Not at all,” he said when asked if Spurs are the favourites to win. “I think Tottenham is a good side, but we have the quality to win this game and that is what we want to show. We have no fear; we are focused on nullifying their strong points and expressing our strong points. It is a good opportunity to show we are the strongest.”
The bookmakers appear to agree with Wenger. When betting online, the best available odds for an Arsenal victory are just 1.50. Tottenham, however, are 2.20 to win on Saturday. With the draw available at 2.50, the odds suggest that this is likely to be a close game. Arsenal ARE the favourites, though, so perhaps their manager has the right to be positive.
Wenger can certainly boast an excellent record in North London derbies. He has faced Tottenham a total of 42 times in the Premier League, and lost just seven times. 18 of his games in charge have been Arsenal victories, with 17 ending up as draws.
That record covers a period of clear Arsenal superiority over their North London rivals. In recent years, however, the tables have started to turn. Arsenal have not won against Tottenham in the league for over three years now, with their last victory coming before Mauricio Pochettino became manager.
Despite never losing a league game to Arsenal as Spurs manager, Pochettino also dismissed the idea that his side should be seen as the favourites on Saturday.
“Arsenal is a great team,” he said. “For me, there is not a favourite in this type of game. It is not important what level you arrive into the derby. The derby is special and anything can happen.”
Harry Kane would no doubt agree that the derby is special. He has an excellent record in this fixture, scoring six times in his five appearances. Having sat out the recent internationals due to injury concerns, he’s expected to be fit and in the team for this one.
One man that will be missing, though, is Toby Alderweireld. He’s been suffering with a hamstring problem since the beginning of the month, and Pochettino recently announced that he’ll be out until the New Year. That’s a huge blow for Tottenham as he’s a key part of their excellent defensive line.
Tottenham may also be without captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, but Dele Alli and Harry Winks have both recovered from their recent injuries. Arsenal’s only injury concern is Oliver Giroud, who picked up a thigh strain when playing for France this week.