101 Great Goals’ War of Words

By Andrew Thompson


Revealed: Might 12, 2022 7:00 am

Final Up to date: Might 12, 2022 12:22 am

The North London Derby; one of many most-storied and hotly-contested rivalries in English soccer.

For Arsenal and Tottenham, and their hundreds of thousands of followers each at residence and overseas, the fixture record yearly is certainly outlined after they conflict with “that lot” subsequent door.  A few of the best matches of the Premier League period have featured these two bitter rivals, maybe none extra iconic than the 2 instances that Arsenal secured League wins at White Hart Lane in 1971 (1-0 win) and once more in 2004 (2-2 draw).

Although there will not be many that will declare that Tottenham is a much bigger membership than Arsenal traditionally, Spurs have gone by way of a relative purple patch in current seasons and have completed forward of Arsenal within the desk for 5 consecutive seasons starting in 2016-17. However that current badge of honor doesn’t maintain as much as the historic comparability between the 2 golf equipment, with the Gunners boasting 13 league titles and a report fourteen FA Cup wins, in comparison with Tottenham’s two league wins and eight FA Cup triumphs.

It’s North London derby debate time!! 🗯️

Right here is Pete’s Tottenham-Arsenal mixed XI…. any fascinating decisions? 🤔

Be part of the controversy utilizing #GMSF pic.twitter.com/AdrvKGYBjg

— Sky Sports activities Information (@SkySportsNews) May 11, 2022

In each sense of the phrase, Arsenal is very large by comparability, however historical past can solely be levied in your favor however a lot, and most Spurs followers will let you know that they really feel they’re now the highest canine in north London.

And with each golf equipment coming into the North London Derby separated by simply 4 factors with two matches remaining, Tottenham is in want of a win to maintain their hopes alive of leapfrogging their bitter rivals into the ultimate Champions League place within the high 4 whereas each golf equipment even have an opportunity of usurping Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea who has slipped mightily of late.

However what do the followers assume? Allow them to let you know.

Two of 101 Nice Targets’ personal – Ben (Arsenal) and Jaime (Tottenham) – run the rule over the rivalry and what it means this season as the 2 golf equipment as soon as once more come to grips with large implications at stake.

With that in thoughts, right here is the primary installment of Conflict of Phrases; the North London Derby version.

Victoria Concordia Crescit

An Arsenal fan contained in the stadium earlier than the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on the Emirates Stadium on September twenty sixth 2021 in London (Picture by Tom Jenkins/Getty Photos)

Ask most Arsenal followers and the notion of a return to the Champions League subsequent season was not the first purpose. Being aggressive is on the root of the will for a passionate fanbase, however nobody would have dreamed that the Gunners might go into the North London Derby with not solely an opportunity at securing high 4 with a win however probably ending third within the desk forward of final seasons Champions League winners Chelsea. For Ben, this notion indicators a profitable but sudden 2021-22.

“I feel that this season has bought to go down as a hit. Arsenal can end no decrease than fifth. For those who’d supplied most followers fifth after back-to-back eighth locations, they might have bitten off your hand. Add to that the switch enterprise that many noticed as underwhelming, and the media dismissed as confused, and fifth was what most followers anticipated.”

“Now, they’ve an opportunity of ending third, and will they win on Thursday, they are going to be again within the Champions League for the primary time since 2017. All that with Eddie Nketiah, Mohamed Elneny, and Cédric Soares that includes. It’s one thing that few would have predicted.”

With Arsenal probably returning to the highest membership competitors in Europe, the query now finally turns into if their total efficiency of the season ought to be considered because the benchmark shifting ahead, or if that is what the Gunners overperforming and exceeding their most capability no matter a few of the trials and tribulations they’ve had beneath the command of Mikel Arteta.

Ever the optimist, Ben views this season as the brand new flooring shifting ahead quite than the ceiling.

“I do assume that the Gunners have overperformed this season, and I feel that they’ve benefitted from a scarcity of different soccer in addition to the catastrophic type of Tottenham at the start of the season and Manchester United from October.”

“Subsequent season, you’d count on either side to be higher, and Arsenal to have extra competitions to compete in. On the flip aspect, Arsenal ought to strengthen their squad considerably this summer time and their younger gamers can solely get higher.”

“This now must be the benchmark, however it’s actually attainable that they fail to maintain the shape amid better expectations, scrutiny, and strain subsequent marketing campaign.”

And tomorrow’s conflict at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one more second the place the 2 rivals have come along with seemingly larger-than-life expectations connected to an already bitterly-charged conflict. For a lot of, together with Ben, that is the most important match for either side in years courting again to 2004 when Arsenal secured their final league title earlier than happening to finish their invincible run that season.

“It’s in all probability the most important recreation for either side. Folks will level to the 2004 recreation (the place Arsenal gained the Premier League at White Hart Lane), however the Gunners nonetheless had 4 video games to play that season, and the one motivation from Spurs was to cease utter humiliation at their very own floor.”

“This time, either side have all of it to play for. After this, Arsenal head north to tackle Newcastle United in a recreation that Spurs will see as a tough one for Arteta and co., however ought to they beat Conte’s aspect, the sport turns into irrelevant.”

“For either side, it appears like a seismic event that would set the tone for seasons to come back.”

However the place might the match be gained or misplaced from an Arsenal perspective on the tactical degree? The Gunners have continued to enhance on this area beneath Arteta, particularly this season. What was as soon as a aspect that lacked steadiness in virtually each division, now seems to be like a way more polished article than seasons previous; one that’s able to surveying their opponent and countering potential weaknesses whereas addressing their very own in the identical vein. As Ben notes, that key battle might are available in large areas as maybe anticipated.

“I feel the matchups from full-back to winger is essential on either side. Heung-Min Son is in an excellent run of type, and is prone to come up in opposition to Cedric Soares or Takehiro Tomiyasu on Thursday night time, with the spectacular Dejan Kulusevski lining up in opposition to the opposite.”

“However, ought to Saka be match his battle with Ryan Sessegnon, in addition to Gabriel Martinelli’s matchup along with his compatriot Emerson Royal, will decide the course of the sport.”

Audere est Facere

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: A fan images a mural of Ledley King forward of the Carabao Cup Semi Ultimate Second Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 12, 2022 in London, England. (Picture by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside through Getty Photos)

To dare is to do; Tottenham’s membership motto since 1884 and a rallying cry for Spurs supporters the world over after the membership hit a brand new gear in current instances, first beneath former beloved supervisor Mauricio Pochettino and now throughout the present Antonio Conte period at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Reaching a current Champions League last was proof-positive to many within the fanbase that the membership was on a trajectory of introducing itself to the elite tier of English golf equipment, coupled with an excellent new residence floor and a rising standing among the many sport on a worldwide degree.

However this season didn’t start in a way that so many have been hoping, but when not for an arduous interval beneath Nuno Espírito Santo, Conte’s arrival might not have come to cross in any respect. When requested how Tottenham has bought on beneath the previous Italian worldwide this season, Jaime had nothing however glowing issues to say in regards to the Italian’s tenure.

“Contemplating the mess Spurs have been in beneath Nuno Espirito Santo, it appears unfathomable that the crew is now competing for a top-four end. That’s actually to the credit score of Conte, who in such a brief area of time, has managed to breathe a brand new lease of life into this crew. Solely three groups have collected extra factors, solely two have scored extra targets and solely two have conceded fewer than Conte’s Spurs.”

“There stay some inconsistencies when it comes to outcomes however contemplating we’re solely six months into the challenge and lacking so many key areas of a Conte system, the foundations which he’s laying are very promising.”

And talking of that basis, the dynamic duo that’s the attacking pair of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son has been on the forefront of the membership’s revival this season beneath Conte, to the purpose that Kane – who as soon as seemed one foot out the door at Tottenham – appears extremely blissful on the membership as soon as extra whereas discovering his voice alongside Son who has been stellar all marketing campaign lengthy. However Spurs are a lot greater than Kane & Son for Jaime and many of the fan base, and the place the membership can proceed to go beneath Conte has much more to do with the present collective total.

“Tottenham’s current recruitment beneath new sporting director Fabio Paratici has been very strong and he has added some proficient younger gamers to complement Kane and Son. Specifically Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, and Rodrigo Bentancur. Romero has the potential to turn into probably the greatest central defenders in Europe, Kulusevski has added one other dimension to Spurs’ assault and Bentancur has been a really strong possibility in midfield. In the meantime, the likes of Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and Hugo Lloris have all stepped up since Conte’s arrival.”

“Nonetheless, as simply talked about, there may be nonetheless some technique to go earlier than we actually see one of the best of a Conte-led Spurs aspect. Wing-backs are one of many predominant options of a Conte aspect and Spurs are critically weak on this place on either side. A number of work that must be achieved in the summertime switch window.”

One of the best efficiency beneath Conte, even when each piece shouldn’t be evident on the membership at present, is actually required when the 2 golf equipment conflict on Thursday night time. Tottenham nonetheless have an opportunity to tug forward of Arsenal by the tip of the season, however so as to take action, should safe all three factors in entrance of the house help, who Jaime feels might play a large position on the night time.

“That is with out the most important north London derby in my lifetime and doubtless the most important because the 1991 FA Cup semi-final. In itself, this recreation appears like a cup last with the winner probably taking Champions League soccer. There’s large strain on each groups, with Arsenal having all of it to lose and it being a must-win for Spurs. It is going to be very fascinating to see which crew offers finest with the strain.”

“Arsenal has a younger crew with an inexperienced supervisor, however Spurs have a crew that has proven many inconsistencies and is a membership that has stuttered when within the massive moments. The Tottenham Hotspur stadium is what might make the most important distinction although. The environment in N17 might be completely unimaginable with this being the primary NLD on the new stadium in entrance of supporters, there nonetheless being the animosity there from Arsenal suspending this fixture again in January, and naturally, what’s at stake. I consider the Spurs followers will make the most important distinction and get Spurs over the road on Thursday night.”

And whatever the consequence that may unfold over 90-minutes, Tottenham nonetheless can take positives from the present Premier League season in addition to the general development the membership has made in recent times. However for that progress to deliver tangible outcomes, each Antonio Conte and membership director of soccer Fabio Paratici have work to do throughout the summer time switch window if Spurs will not be solely to maintain up – or forward of – Arsenal, however probably push on to better issues in what’s hopefully a brand new period for the membership. How would possibly the membership do this? Jaime has his reply.

“Tottenham’s largest want this summer time is new wing-backs for both aspect. My alternative for the left-side is both Ivan Perisic, who could be a free switch or Marc Cucurella of Brighton. For the appropriate wing-back, I wish to signal Jonathon Clauss of RC Lens, who was lately referred to as as much as the French nationwide crew.”

“Lastly, I’d prefer to see Spurs transfer for Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan. Spurs have to improve Ben Davies and Bastoni is the proper alternative for a left-sided central defender. He performed a serious position in serving to Conte win Serie A again in 2021.”

I wish to thank each Ben and Jaime for his or her contributions to this piece, and you’ll look out for all their work right here at 101 Nice Targets throughout all avenues of protection we provide. Thanks, guys!