Journalist Rob Dawson has claimed that if Arsenal were to lose the North London derby, it could turn into a crisis for the Gunners.
The Gunners will likely head into the North London derby as favourites considering they sit top of the Premier League, have lost just once all season and also because they’ve only succumbed to defeat against their league rivals since moving to The Emirates.
However, derbies aren’t ever that straightforward and Arteta and his players will know that anything can happen, just look at last season when Rob Holding’s red card left the with an almost impossible task, so won’t be taking this game lightly.
Dawson has now insisted on the ESPN UK YouTube channel that if Arteta doesn’t win against Tottenham Hotspur, it could be seen as a crisis for the Gunners.
“If Arsenal were to lose given what happened at Old Trafford against Man United when they played really well and were on the end ultimately of a 3-1 battering, if that were to happen again, people would look at them and go, they’re not there yet, even if they were there sort of further down the line they would bottle it in these big game.
“You need to be able to show you can handle the pressure of these big games and I think the pressure ultimately this weekend is on Arsenal. If they win, they’ll be expected to win if they lose, it will be a crisis.”
TIF Thoughts on the North London derby…
It is a huge game, not just for bragging rights amongst fans, but this early into the season, this match could potentially help determine which side finishes inside the top four, with the fight likely to go all the way once again this campaign.
Arsenal, who are currently the best team in the league sitting top of the pile, will be confident of putting right their loss last season, especially with Spurs set to be without key man Dejan Kulusevski.
However, if they were to lose, making it their second loss to a side that finished inside the top six last season, many would question if this team is ready and good enough to be competitive right at the very top just yet.
Will Arsenal win the NLD?
Yes!
No!
