Kai Havertz’s penalty miss that sealed Arsenal’s FA Cup exit seemed emblematic of the club’s persistent issues in the 2024-25 season. Mikel Arteta’s side has struggled to find the back of the net, lacking the clinical edge of a traditional No 9, a flaw that risks defining their campaign. Catch the action live on SuperSport at 10pm CAT.
The Gunners’ recent performances underline this problem. Across 229 minutes against Newcastle United and Manchester United, Arsenal mustered only one goal—a fortunate deflected effort from centre-back Gabriel. Their profligacy is evident in the numbers: just 10 shots on target from a staggering 49 attempts across those two matches.
Enter Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal’s North London rivals, whose visit could provide a much-needed opportunity to rediscover their attacking rhythm. Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs side has adopted an expansive, attack-minded approach but has been plagued by defensive frailties, exacerbated by injuries.
Spurs have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 outings across all competitions—a 5-0 win over bottom-dwellers Southampton—and have managed just one victory in their previous eight Premier League matches. Even non-league Tamworth forced them into extra time in the FA Cup.
Arsenal’s form at the Emirates offers further encouragement for the hosts. Unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, the Gunners have kept four consecutive clean sheets there, mitigating their scoring woes when on home turf. Expectations among Arsenal supporters will be high for a derby triumph.
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🔴 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 15, 2025
🆚 Tottenham Hotspur
🕗 8pm (UK)
🏆 Premier League
🏟 Emirates Stadium pic.twitter.com/IQAwNSwksq
However, there’s a twist. Spurs defied expectations with a clean sheet against Liverpool in the EFL Cup and have conceded the fewest away goals in the Premier League this season (nine). This resilience on the road suggests Arsenal will need more than just home advantage to secure victory.
Without the influential Bukayo Saka, Arsenal must rediscover their creative spark and find a way to break through Spurs’ travelling defense. The North London derby promises to be a fascinating clash, with Arsenal hoping Spurs’ openness can finally help them overcome their scoring struggles.
A LOOK AT WHAT THE STATS SAY
Arsenal have won six of their last eight Premier League games against Spurs (D1 L1) and are looking to win three consecutive league games against them for the first time since January 1989 (a run of five).
Tottenham have won just one of their last 31 Premier League away games against Arsenal (D12 L18) and are winless in 13 since a 3-2 victory in November 2010.
Following their 1-0 win in September, Arsenal are looking to complete the Premier League double over Tottenham for the fifth time. Only in 2013-14 have they done so without conceding in the competition.
Tottenham have conceded at least once in each of their last 25 Premier League away games against Arsenal, since a 0-0 draw in 1998-99. In their league history, only at Bolton have they had a longer run without an away clean sheet (35 between 1923 and 2012).
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League home games (W9 D3), and are the only side without a home loss so far this season (W6 D3). They’ve kept a clean sheet in each of their last four home league games, last recording five consecutive shutouts at the Emirates between December 2013 and February 2014.
Tottenham have won just one of their last eight Premier League matches (D2 L5), with that victory coming at bottom-side Southampton. Indeed, since the start of this run only Leicester (4) and Southampton (1) have earned fewer points in the Premier League than Spurs (5).
Arsenal have conceded a league-high 28 per cent of their Premier League goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season (5/18). Meanwhile, Tottenham have scored more goals in this period than any other side (11).
As a team, Tottenham have applied more pressures in the final third than any other side in the Premier League this season (1 321). Striker Dominic Solanke leads the way for this among players, with his 386 over 100 more than the next highest (Erling Haaland, 275).
The Battle for North London ⚔️
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 14, 2025
We’re ready. pic.twitter.com/OK47Xbm9Kp
Each of Kai Havertz’s last 11 Premier League goals have been scored in London. The last Arsenal player to have a longer such run was Lukas Podolski (12 between December 2012 and April 2014).
No player has provided more assists following a ball carry in the Premier League this season than Tottenham captain Son Heung-min (5). His next assist will make him the outright assist leader for Spurs in the Premier League (currently 68, level with Darren Anderton).