1) More at stake than usual in derby
North London bragging rights are on the line this Saturday and so is the ever-delicate question of the power balance between Arsenal and Spurs. Two very different sides look evenly matched to the naked eye and both will know the added significance of a win at the Emirates. Arsenal’s only slip-up this season was the slightly harsh defeat in their toughest assignment, at Old Trafford; when Spurs faced their most exacting test, away at Chelsea, they were very fortunate to draw in stormy circumstances. So both Mikel Arteta and Antonio Conte could do with taking a big early scalp if early pretensions to a title chase, or at least the second-place spot that could well be up for grabs, are to become a little more convincing. They will be keenly aware that there is no better occasion on which to stake the claim. Nick Ames
