The North London derby is set to be one of the biggest fixtures of the season, with so much more than just bragging rights at stake. The game could decide the fate of the top four, with one final Champions League place seemingly up for grabs.
Tottenham are the side that currently sit fourth, level on points with Arsenal and with a better goal difference, but having played two games more. That puts the Gunners in the driving seat to capitalise, with Crystal Palace and Chelsea their two games in hand.
It looks like a tough run-in for Mikel Arteta, with Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham all to come. As for Antonio Conte, he will have to gear his Spurs side up for a trip to Liverpool towards the end of the season.
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That is without mentioning the fact that the two sides have to play each other in a rearranged North London derby. While tensions are normally high, factor in the top four race and the disagreements over the original postponement due to a number of injuries and one covid case, it could threaten to boil over.
This was something that Conte himself had a particular issue with, saying at the time: “We should not postpone games for injuries, for international duty. I think we have a big problem to solve and it's Covid, but only about this situation can you decide to postpone, not for other situations.
"Honestly, it's the first time in my life - and I've had a bit of experience in football - I've seen this type of decision. It was very strange. If the Premier League decides to postpone games for injury it means that maybe they have to try to make a better schedule and reduce games.”
With a number of big games coming up, the bosses may be able to plan better with reports claiming that a new date has been set for the derby. Optus Sport, an Australian broadcaster, reported on Instagram that the new date will be Thursday, May 12.
The Premier League as well as both clubs are yet to give an official word from their end as to when the new date will be. If it is the 12th, It would be the third game before the end for both teams, with Arsenal facing Leeds before and Spurs facing Liverpool.
It could change how each team prepares for their respective fixtures, with a Champions League spot up for grabs.
