Unfortunately for Tottenham fans, Arsenal could finish them prematurely
The big games keep on coming for Arsenal. On Thursday night, the Gunners will make the short ten mile journey across the capital to face Brentford at the Gtech. Mikel Arteta's team come into this one following back-to-back Premier League victories, smashing both Leeds and then Sunderland.
Brentford though are also in excellent form, enjoying victories at Villa Park and St James' Park ahead of this one, with Dango Ouattara the late match-winner on Tyneside at the weekend. Overall, Keith Andrews' side have won six of their last nine matches, so will certainly be no push-overs.
This though is, of course, not the biggest London derby Arsenal have coming up. On 22 February, the 199th North London derby will take place at a far from happy Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Derbies, more specifically derby victories, are always special occasions, but this one could be historic for those bedecked in red.
Arsenal could make North London derby history
While Arsenal supporters are loving life at the top of the Premier League table, the same cannot be said of their neighbours. On Saturday, Cristian Romero was shown the sixth red card of his Tottenham career during a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Thomas Frank's team are now without a win in seven league outings, leaving them 15th, a mere six points clear of the relegation zone.
Given that Spurs have won only four of their last 26 Premier League home matches, Arsenal will fancy their chances of victory in the upcoming derby. Right now, the maximum number of points Tottenham can accumulate is 68, while Arsenal already have 56. So, if the Gunners win their next two, and Spurs don't beat Newcastle on Tuesday, St Totteringhamâs Day will be secured with a derby win.
For the uninitiated, St Totteringhamâs Day is when Arsenal mathematically guarantee finishing above Spurs in any given season. Between 1995 and 2017, the Gunners came higher of the two every single year, a sequence ended by Mauricio Pochettino's team. This year though could be the the earliest St Totteringhamâs Day of all-time.
Earliest St Totteringhamâs Days in history
Note: *adjusted for three points for a win.
To date, the earliest St Totteringhamâs Day in history is 9 March, achieved in 2008. That year, Arsène Wenger's side finished third, four points below champions Manchester United, while Juande Ramos' side ended up all the way down in 11th. That year, on 9 March, Spurs beat West Ham 4-0 while the Gunners were held to a goalless draw by Wigan at the JJB Stadium.