Pre-Match Analysis: Arsenal look for derby-day delight against Tottenham
Arsenal in their 1-0 away at Tottenham earlier in this season (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Arsenal look to get back on track after cup disappointment last week, and have the chance to do it in style as they host Tottenham Hotspur, in a highly anticipated North London Derby.

Both teams had completely different results last week, with Tottenham getting a hard-fought victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup before beating non-league outfit Tamworth 3-0 in extra time.

On the other hand, the Gunners lost their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg 2-0 against an in-form Newcastle United side, before they lost on penalties in the FA Cup to Manchester United.

There has been a huge uproar on social media from Arsenal fans who are disappointed in the results and performances from the previous week.

However, a win against Tottenham tomorrow night would be the perfect response to the frustrated fans, with the Gunners unbeaten against their rivals at the Emirates since 2010.

  • Need to stop missing big chances

In the two cup games last week, Arsenal scored one goal from 49 shots, 10 big chances (all missed) and an xG of 8.23. 

Creating chances is not the problem, with Martin Odegaard proving that on the weekend with 10 key passes and two big chances created, and he had an expected assist of two - both stats the most from a Premier League player this season.

The Gunners need to start converting their chances if they want to win more games, with them having the chance to win both cup games comfortably last week.

Kai Havertz is a key clog in the Arsenal attack when he is putting the ball in the back of the net, but is now getting a lot of stick from Arsenal fans after his poor display in front of goal against United.

Including the missed penalty in the shootout, Havertz had an xG of 1.98 without scoring.

He is not the only one firing on all cylinders though, with Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli among others who missed key chances in those games.

If Arsenal's attacking players can get back to being clinical, then they will pick up results and goals, with the match on Wednesday the perfect opportunity to do this.

  • Time for Sterling to make his move

It has not worked out for Raheem Sterling this season at Arsenal, with game time limited for the 30-year-old winger.

However, when called upon on Sunday after Gabriel Jesus' injury, he produced an impressive cameo, as he completed five dribbles and made one key pass.

With attacking options now limited, the English winger has the perfect opportunity to make that right-wing position his with Bukayo Saka out for a long period of time, and Ethan Nwaneri also yet to return from a muscle injury.

Along with Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli and Havertz are Arsenal's only senior attacking options available for the tie against Spurs.

To compromise that, Tottenham are still without their two starting centre backs Cristian Romero and Micky van De Ven, along with being very thin in defensive options with young midfielder Archie Gray having to fill in the defensive role in previous weeks.

This could not just be Sterling's chance to shine, but the whole Arsenal attack to come back to form against a depleted and leaky Spurs defence.

  • Derby day pressure

Despite the problems for both teams, a fierce derby like the one between these two teams will always deliver drama, plot twists and headlines.

The Gunners have had the recent success against their noisy neighbours, with their last loss against Spurs coming back in 2022 when Tottenham grabbed Champions League football just ahead of Arsenal in a crazy end to the season.

Since then, the Gunners have won four of the five previous meetings, with the one draw coming in Ange Postecoglu's first North London Derby.

Fans could see a repeat of the fixture between the two earlier in the season, where an injury and suspension affected Arsenal sat back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and managed to score from a corner to win the game 1-0.

Being at home, you would expect Arsenal to attack more and not sit deep, but if it is not broken, then don't fix it.

Whatever happens, if the Gunners want anything from this game, they need to be more clinical in front of goal and carry on their impressive defensive displays in recent months to get another memorable victory for the fans, and a win to get their season back on track.