Arsenal face their biggest challenge of the Premier League season so far as they welcome local rivals Tottenham for the north London derby. The two sides renew hostilities for the first time since the end of the last campaign, where the Lilywhites were rampant to secure victory.
It ended up being a turning point for the season as Antonio Conte's men secured a top four finish and Champions League football, while Mikel Arteta had to settle for fifth and a return to the Europa League. This season has seen a very different start though, with the Gunners first after an ideal run of fixtures while Spurs sit third and unbeaten.
With one month or so left of football before the next international break for the World Cup in Qatar, the clash could set the tone for the rest of the busy schedule ahead. "It’s the most special game of the season at home, that’s for sure," Arteta said about the north London derby back in 2021.
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“It’s a London derby and emotionally, it’s a different one to play. We know how much it means for our supporters.” The Spaniard knows all about the match from his managerial experience so far, but also during his days as a player for the Gunners.
Heading into this specific match at the Emirates, history appears to be on his side. Of the two games played against Tottenham at home as Arsenal manager, Arteta has won both - a huge 3-1 victory last season and a 2-1 win the campaign before that.
On his search for a third win in a home derby, a victory would see him become the third manager in the club's history to win three of their first three home matches against their rivals - George Morrell and Terry Neill the only ones to do so at this stage. It would better the record of legendary manager Arsene Wenger.
It remains to be seen if he can manage that, but with a game of such huge magnitude on the cards, it will take little to motivated Arteta or his players to put a performance on.
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