The Emirates Stadium will host its most charged atmosphere of the season so far on Sunday as Arsenal welcome Tottenham Hotspur for the first north London derby of the campaign.
For Mikel Arteta's side, this fixture arrives at a pivotal moment, a chance to reassert their title credentials after the international break and erase the memory of dropped points at Sunderland before the season's defining week.
The UK betting sites favour Arsenal. But in this rivalry, odds mean little when pride is at stake. It’s one of those games where the form book is torn up and the Premier League shows its unpredictability.
The stakes extend beyond local bragging rights. Arsenal face a week that will define their season. Thomas Frank makes his first visit to the Emirates with Tottenham on Sunday. Just three days later, Arsenal face a Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich, who have posted a perfect record in the league phase under Vincent Kompany.
It's a sequence that evokes last season's champions Liverpool, who conquered both Real Madrid and Manchester City in a seven-day spell that announced their title charge. But first, the Gunners must navigate the chaos and emotion of the derby, a fixture that always delivers.
Form and Fitness Concerns
Arsenal's preparations have been complicated by the loss of Gabriel, who suffered a groin injury while on international duty with Brazil in a friendly against Senegal in London.
The defender’s absence is significant. He's been a pillar of Arteta's defence and has emerged as a genuine goal threat from set pieces this season. His injury comes at the worst possible time, with Arsenal still smarting from their late collapse at Sunderland, surrendering a lead and dropping two points that could prove costly in what promises to be a relentless title race.
With City easily dispatching Liverpool in Pep Guardiola’s 1000th game, every dropped point has weight. Arteta’s men cannot afford to let momentum slip ahead of crucial fixtures both domestically and in Europe.
Tottenham arrive as underdogs, making the short four-mile journey across north London with something to prove. Frank's side also threw away points in their last outing, conceding a late equaliser to Manchester United through Matthijs de Ligt after Richarlison looked to have secured all three points.
The Dane’s home record remains a concern for Spurs fans. But their away form tells a different story. They've already claimed notable scalps on the road this season: victories at the Etihad, the London Stadium, and Elland Road. These are results that suggest a team capable of rising to big occasions, particularly when the pressure is off and expectations are low.
How Far Can Arsenal Go This Season?
The derby represents another examination of Arsenal's title credentials, but the fixture scheduling adds an intriguing subplot. Will Arteta risk his strongest XI knowing Bayern Munich looms on the horizon? The Spaniard has historically prioritised Premier League points, but the temptation to rotate could prove irresistible given the physical demands ahead.
Arsenal are now priced at just 1/5 to win silverware this season, a reflection of their growing stature and the belief that this could finally be their year.
The League Cup presents the most immediate opportunity. Arsenal sit joint-favourites at 9/4 alongside Manchester City ahead of the final in March, a competition that has surprisingly eluded them for decades. They've lifted the trophy just twice, and not since 1992/93. The route looks navigable this term though.
Wins over Port Vale and Brighton secured a quarter-final against Crystal Palace, recent specialists in knockout football, though there for the taking since their unbeaten streak ended.
But the Premier League remains the obsession. Arsenal are now odds-on favourites at 8/13 to win their first league title since the Invincibles of 2003/04, finally shaking off the bridesmaid tag that has haunted them in recent seasons.
To do so, they must exorcise the demons of Sunderland. Brian Brobbey's late equaliser cannot become a season-defining moment of fragility.
Do Spurs Stand A Chance?
Tottenham's record at the Emirates should offer Frank little encouragement. Spurs have won just once at Arsenal's home since the move from Highbury, a solitary victory back in 2011.
If Frank can mastermind a win on Sunday, he'll achieve instant cult status in the white half of North London. At 13/2, Spurs are priced as outsiders. But their away scalps this season suggest they can’t be dismissed.
Spurs are dangerous in big games. Their away record proves that. Frank has built a side that relishes the underdog role, that feeds off low expectations and thrives in moments when the spotlight shifts elsewhere.
However, if Arsenal's defence holds firm without Gabriel, and Saliba steps up as the leader this backline needs, the Gunners will have a strong platform to build on.
The Frenchman has been strong in the air this season, winning 66.67% of duels and averaging 5.49 clearances per 90. But his ball-playing hasn’t yet reached his best levels. Against Spurs’ pace and directness, he will need to dominate both defensively and when building from the back
For Arsenal as a whole, converting their chances with the clinical edge that deserted them on Wearside will be crucial. Get it right, and this should provide momentum heading into the Bayern clash.
Prediction
The margins will be fine. Arsenal's set-piece threat remains potent even without Gabriel, having scored more goals from dead balls than any other side this season.
Spurs' defensive fragility, especially at corners, has been exposed repeatedly. A clean win at home would give Arsenal a surge heading into the Bayern clash and signal that they are ready to run away with the league
The script is set for Arsenal to halt their greatest rivals and take another step towards ending their 22-year title drought. In a season that promises everything, it starts with three points on Sunday.