One of English football's most fiercely contested rivalries ignites once more this afternoon as Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, sitting proudly at the Premier League's summit, are desperate to continue their recent dominance in this famous fixture against their arch-rivals.
Recent Form and Stakes for the Derby
The recent history of this derby makes for grim reading for Spurs supporters. Arsenal have won the last three consecutive meetings between these two sides, and Tottenham's only victory in the last nine encounters dates all the way back to May 2022. Mikel Arteta's men are eager to inflict more misery on their old enemy today.
However, a significant cloud hangs over the Arsenal camp. Key defender Gabriel Magalhaes, a formidable presence for the team this season, is facing at least a month on the sidelines. This leaves a gaping hole in the Gunners' backline that Spurs will be confident they can exploit. Questions also remain over the fitness of other crucial Arsenal personnel just hours before kick-off.
How to Watch and Team News
For fans in the UK, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event. The action can also be streamed via the Sky Go app or a NOW TV subscription. The highly anticipated kick-off is set for 4.30pm UK time on Sunday, November 23.
Ahead of the match, former Tottenham midfielder Sandro has tipped defender Micky van de Ven to 'control' and neutralise the threat of Arsenal's striker, Viktor Gyokeres. The official team news and starting lineups for both sides will be confirmed closer to the match, with all the updates available through Metro's live blog.
Wider Premier League Implications
This derby has ramifications that stretch far beyond North London bragging rights. A victory for Arsenal would see them open up a seven-point lead over Manchester City, who suffered a defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. This would solidify the Gunners' position at the top and put significant pressure on their rivals.
Arsenal's closest challengers are now Chelsea, who sit in second place. The two title contenders are scheduled to meet in a blockbuster fixture at Stamford Bridge next week, adding another layer of intrigue to today's result. With Tottenham remaining unbeaten in their away league matches this season, all the ingredients are present for a truly explosive encounter.
