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Paul Merson says he's got a better chance of winning Strictly Come Dancing than Tottenham do at ending their trophy hoodoo this season.

The Arsenal legend was in chipper mood as he watched his former club claim the north London bragging rights with a 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs struggled to impose themselves on a depleted Arsenal, who were without a number of players including captain Martin Odegaard and England star Declan Rice.

It will thus be viewed as a missed opportunity for Spurs, who have made a shaky start to the season with just four points from as many games in the Premier League.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou insisted this would be a season to remember despite the patchy start as he doubled down on his claim that he'd deliver silverware in what's his second season in charge.

In a spiky interview with Sky Sports, the Australian was asked about his statement at the start of the season that his second campaign at a club often sees him win silverware, and whether he had seen enough in this side to believe them capable of doing that.

Reporter Emma Saunders got her question across, she pulled the mic back twice to add to it before she heard Postecoglou's answer.

The Spurs boss then said with a smile on his face: "Am I going to answer the question, or are you going to keep asking?"

He continued: "No absolutely and I think I'll correct myself and say that I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year.

"I don't say things unless I believe it.

Saunders got her question across, she pulled the mic back twice to add to it before she heard Postecoglou's answer.

In response, the Spurs boss said with a smile on his face: "Am I going to answer the question, or are you going to keep asking?"

He continued: "No absolutely and I think I'll correct myself and say that I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year.

"I don't say things unless I believe it. Nothing has changed."

Quizzed on whether he was confident he could do it with his current Spurs side, Postecoglou stayed firm.

"Well, I sort of said it now," he said. "I don't say things unless I believe them."

Postecoglou could earn legendary status at the club if he was to deliver on his vow with Spurs yet to taste major trophy success in over 16 years.

And Arsenal legend Merson isn't convinced this Spurs team under the former Celtic boss will get that elusive trophy.

Merson told Sky Sports: "I like Ange, I like him. But I've got more chance of winning Strictly.

"That's what chance they've got."

Merson is taking part in this year's competition, which started on Saturday, along with three-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Tom Dean and Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player Sam Quek.

He's been partnered with Venezuelan ballroom dancer Karen Hauer and is reportedly the bookies favourite to be eliminated first.

Ange Postecoglou's decision not to have a set piece coach has come back to haunt him once again in the north London derby.

Arsenal went 1-0 up in the second half through Gabriel, with the defender firing in a bullet header from Bukayo Saka's corner.

Sunday's goal will have felt like deja vu for everyone.

That's because two of Arsenal's goals in their last outing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came from corners, when they beat their rivals 3-2.

After their latest outings, three of Arsenal's last four Premier League goals against rivals Tottenham have been from corners.

Only three of their previous 88 north London derby league goals had been from corners before this.

Despite being unable to keep corner specialists Arsenal at bay last time out, Postecoglou doubled down on not being phased by his side's set piece issues - quoting Billy Joel.

"I'm not interested," he said in May. "Never have been. Not in the least.

"It's not the first time I've been questioned about set-pieces in my coaching career.

"There is an underlying reason for that which I'm very, very comfortable with.

"To quote Billy Joel, you may be right, I may be crazy, but it's maybe a lunatic you're looking for."

And he added: "Eventually I will create a team that has success and it won't be because of working on set-pieces."

He also does not want a set piece coach.

But fast forward to September, and talkSPORT's reporter for the game Dean Ashton believes Spurs have to do something about their set-piece problem.

The former England striker said: "It’s Tottenham’s weak spot, every team targets Vicario.

“From inside the six yard box, Gabriel is one of the best. Vicario cannot react as he’s stuck on his line.”

Arsenal have created Premier League history by recording a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby.

A header from Gabriel Magalhaes was enough to earn victory for Mikel Arteta's side and ensure that they retain bragging rights in the rivalry.

While Spurs dominated possession and had more shots on goal, it was Arsenal who retained control of the contest throughout.

In doing so, the Gunners extended their impressive recent record over their rivals.

This win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means that Arsenal have now won three-straight away games over the Lilywhites.

Prior to this clash, the Gunners had won their last two Premier League away games against Spurs, as many as they had managed in their previous 17 such visits (D6 L9).

They last won three consecutive away north London derbies between January 1987 and September 1988, meaning that this is the first time Arsenal have won three-straight away matches against Tottenham in the Premier League era.

Mikel Arteta's side recorded a 2-0 win at Spurs back in the 2022/23 campaign, before claiming a 3-2 victory over Ange Postecoglou's side last term.

It means that as it stands, Arsenal are very much the dominant force in north London.

Victory for Arteta's side puts them second in the Premier League with three wins from four.

It means that they are just two points behind reigning champions, Man City who have 12 from 12.

As for Tottenham, they sit 13th in the table having picked up just four points from four matches this term.

Tottenham will be hoping to dust themselves down in time for the Carabao Cup clash with Coventry on Wednesday night - live on talkSPORT 2.

They then host Brentford next Saturday afternoon in a clash that is exclusively live on talkSPORT 2.

Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Atalanta in the Champions League, before a crunch clash with Man City next weekend.

Piers Morgan has joked Arsenal won a key battle in the north London derby before a ball was even kicked.

The Gunners saw off fierce rivals Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday, with Gabriel bagging the winner with a bullet header from a corner in the second half.

But before the players had even come out of the tunnel, battle had already begun.

That is… the battle of the mascots.

TV cameras showed the youngsters waiting for their players to come out of their respective dressing rooms to stand beside them.

Only one of the kids was there for Arsenal, with the rest all Spurs.

But that didn’t stop the tiny Gooner from ensuring Arsenal’s presence in Spurs’ backyard felt from early on, as he took on his opponents in the tunnel.

He approached one of the Spurs mascots, playfully shoving him in the back.

Smooth as you like, he then high fived an Arsenal member of staff.

He then faced the rest of Spurs’ mascots and pointed to his shirt.

Fans on social media absolutely loved the cheeky youngster - including Arsenal fan Piers Morgan.

“Even our mascots are harder than Tottenham’s…” he wrote on X, reposting the clip.

A second fan said: “give this kid a statue NOW.”

“I love it. And you must also commend the composure of the spurs mascots,” a third added.

But whilst it all a bit of fun in the tunnel, the same can’t be said for the game itself.

It was 0-0 at the break, but it was an ill-tempered 45 minutes which saw a whopping seven yellow cards dished out.

That’s the joint-most cards ever shown in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match.

Chelsea’s win over Bournemouth earlier this weekend broke the record for the most yellow cards in a Premier League fixture.

Eight were dished out in total in north London in the end as Gunners retained derby bragging rights.

Real Madrid will be keen observers at the north London derby as they cast their eye over two defensive targets.

According to reports on Spain, Carlo Ancelotti's side will be looking at Cristian Romero and William Saliba with the view to potential moves.

Real Madrid are unlikely to pursue such deals in January, but could be looking at potential defensive reinforcements with next season in mind.

Los Blancos' chief scout Juni Calafat will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take a look at both players, however it's understood that Saliba will be the main player of interest.

The Arsenal man still has three years left on his deal in north London but at the age of 23, he's thought to be a player who can dominate for many years to come.

Defensive additions are a big priority for Real Madrid with David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger both over 30.

As a result, they're looking for additions with the future in mind.

Real Madrid have worked hard over the last couple of seasons to build one of the most exciting teams in world football with new signings including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Endrick joining stars such as Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga.

Saliba is a player who is destined for the very top, a status that he's ready for after speaking about his progress during Euro 2024.

"I think I am in the top three [defenders in the league]", he told L'Equipe.

"We finished with the best defence. I watch a lot of matches. I am a very humble person but last season, just like this season, I am in the top three defenders.

"I need to continue to work to go even higher.

"In terms of concentration, I am a lot better. Before, I could play a top match but in one phase of play, I slept a bit. That is no longer the case. I am always on alert."

Since joining Arsenal, Saliba has made 86 appearances scoring five goals in the process.

In that time he has also helped France to the World Cup final where they finished as runners up, while also winning two Community Shields with Arsenal.

Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy clashed over which Tottenham players should feature in a combined north London derby with Arsenal stars.

The bitter rivals will battle for the first time this season on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a feisty match on the cards.

Derby days give fans the chance to create starting XI's consisting of players from both sides, with Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit telling talkSPORT that Spurs would maybe have two players 'maximum'.

This is despite the Gunners being set to miss Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard through suspension and injury respectively.

"I think he's talking garbage," said O'Hara in response to Petit, before he and Cundy failed to agree on a combined north London derby XI, with the full Sports Bar clash below.

Cundy: What's he said that's upset you?

O'Hara: Well, two players, what's he talking about? How many Arsenal players get in Spurs' team?

Cundy: Right, well I'm putting Van de Ven in there. I know [Andy] Goldstein recommended him and they shot him down. I'm having [Micky] Van de Ven alongside [William] Saliba.

O'Hara: Yes... Pedro Porro is a better player than Ben White.

Cundy: No, but he's not mate.

O'Hara: Yes he is!

Cundy: No he's not, he's not better than Ben White.

O'Hara: Yes he is! Pedro Porro is an amazing football player, and [Destiny] Udogie plays week in, week out at left-back. He was one of the best left-backs in the country last season.

Cundy: Was he? One of the best in the country? You might have overdone that a little bit...

O'Hara: No, I'm not over-egging it at all.

Cundy: One of the best in the country?

O'Hara: Didn't he get in the team of the season?

Cundy: Did he? Are you sure about that?

O'Hara: Mate, I'm sure he was close to it... I think he got in it, I'm not 100 per cent.

But, they [Arsenal] bought a left-back because their left-back's been poor. So for Emmanuel Petit to come out and say only two players get in...

Cundy: He's won a World Cup mate, he can say what he wants...

O'Hara: I know he can say what he wants, of course he can, absolutely. But, he's talking rubbish.

Cundy: Right, I'm having three. Van de Ven, [James] Maddison in... [Kai] Havertz high up, Maddison can play where Odegaard does, and I'm having [Heung-min] Son on the left. That's from having three in there.

O'Hara: I disagree mate. Look, without Rice, they've got Thomas Partey or Jorginho, right, to choose from. [Yves] Bissouma's a better player.

Cundy: I don't know if Bissouma is... is he fit? I don't know if he's fit mate.

O'Hara: Bissouma's a better player.

Cundy: Ok. I'm just telling you now mate, I'm having three in there.

O'Hara: Obviously [Bukayo] Saka goes on the right and Havertz, at the moment in time... you have to put him up front, down the middle because he's doing alright.

Cundy: And Maddison in behind him... Give us your team then!

O'Hara: Well... there's an argument for [Guglielmo] Vicario...

Cundy: Look, J, listen, don't argue with me or yourself, give us your team.

O'Hara: But I just...

Cundy: Give us your team!

O'Hara: It's annoyed me because, you know, this Arsenal lot think they're Real Madrid, they literally think they're Real Madrid.

Cundy: Give us your team, who's in goal?

O'Hara: [David] Raya. Udogie, Van de Ven, Saliba, Porro...

Cundy: So three of the back four are Spurs?

O'Hara: Yes, 100 per cent.

Cundy: Ok, go on.

O'Hara: Then I would say Bissouma and Thomas Partey, I don't know who's fit.

Cundy: Well Partey's fit and Jorginho is fit from what we got...

O'Hara: Maddison, Son, Saka, Havertz. You can't argue with that, there's no argument, you can't argue with that.

Cundy: You know Arsenal had the best defence in the league last season?

O'Hara: I don't care.

Cundy: And you've got three of the back four...

O'Hara: Yep, Saliba was their best player... so Saliba's in there.

Cundy: Saka was their best player... mate, you can't have Porro over Ben White, you can't mate.

O'Hara: Mate, Porro is top quality.

Cundy: No, he's not better than... mate, come on, that's being a bit silly.

O'Hara: Listen, I'm not being silly!

Cundy: It's a bit silly.

O'Hara: Ask any Spurs fan, and ask an Arsenal fan.

Cundy: Well ok, well listen, ask them now!

So that's six from Tottenham and five from Arsenal in O'Hara's combined north London derby XI - how do you rate it?

Every year in the WSL, there is always a team who shocks everybody and outperforms all expectations.

Last season it was Liverpool; the season before it was Aston Villa.

This time, Tottenham are on track to be the dark horses who stun the field this season.

Their sixth place league finish was respectable, if not mind-blowing, last year, but it was their FA Cup campaign that better sums up just how far their manager has taken them in such a short time.

They looked increasingly organised, lively and dangerous in front of goal as the season went on - and the scoreline in their 4-0 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United obscured how competitive they had actually been in the first half.

Bear in mind, just two seasons ago they had been one of the teams in the mix for relegation from the top tier - but some shrewd signings have made all the difference in recent years with attacking duo Beth England and Martha Thomas at the forefront of the team’s revolution.

And what is it about Spurs that makes them look so promising this season?

“I would say that we’re bold, determined and brave in the way in which we play out,” England told talkSPORT when asked what three words best summed up the club.

But it is the Swedish boss at the helm of the club whose calm and collected approach to management seems to have been the real catalyst for change.

Manager: Robert Vilahamn

The perfect way to sum up Robert Vilaham is by understanding the secret weapon he introduced during his first year at the club: team yoga sessions.

It has proved to be an activity that has converted even the most unlikely suspects, as striker England told talkSPORT.

“We've got an amazing yoga teacher, she's called Jess,” she said. “She's fantastic. And it's not always been my cup of tea, but I have learnt to love it almost.

“We're still very much in the yoga-era under Robert. And yeah, I think most of the girls actually really enjoy it. So it's a great way for us to help recover and switch off at times when we need to.”

Vilahamn managed a number of Swedish clubs from 2009 onwards, taking charge of top flight side BK Hacken immediately before his move to Spurs.

He has been a revelation, and his introduction of yoga to squad training has been a resounding success which seems to mirror the gentle but firm approach he takes to leadership.

Having previously told talkSPORT that his intention was to lead at Spurs in the way that Ange Postecoglou had done on the men’s side, he has created an environment at the club which his players have had much praise for.

And how could they not, after the 41-year-old led them to a historic first ever FA Cup final which stirred up unprecedented levels of support for the side.

Not to mention, he led the team to their first ever north London derby win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on what was a very special day for the club.

With the Swede recently having signed a new three-year-contract with the club, there is every reason to believe Tottenham Women could indeed get their hands on a trophy before long.

Star player: Beth England

That statistics would tell you that Beth England was not her prolific self last season.

But they do not tell you that the former Lionesses striker was out with a hip injury until mid-January - and she still managed to score eight times in 21 appearances upon her return.

Of course, the season before she had scored 12 times in 12 appearances after signing for Tottenham in the transfer window.

And it is that kind of form that she will be looking to regain this campaign, with the striker telling talkSPORT that she is hungry for victory this season.

“Obviously, we want to build on the success that we had last year in terms of reaching the FA Cup final, finishing sixth in the league,” she said. “We want to obviously push into breaking those barriers of aiming for top four and yeah just continuing to push and hopefully bring home a trophy and title to the club.”

She added: “For me I think it's just about getting fit and making sure that obviously I had a bit of a half a season last year from my hip surgery. so it's just I'm excited that I finally got a full pre-season under my belt and that I can go into the season just excited to play football again and hopefully bang the goals in like I know I can.”

It has been a hard couple of years for the former Chelsea star, as she was phased out of both the international set-up and the starting line-up under Emma Hayes.

But she has found a new place to shine with and she would love nothing more than to prove just how capable she is in front of a goal - perhaps with the Golden Boot, or even team honours.

One to watch: Martha Thomas

The Scottish forward who was billed as Beth England’s temporary stand-in last season ended up proving herself to be far, far more than just that.

Martha Thomas bagged ten goals across 27 appearances last season - but it was the occasion of some of her goals that most impressed.

After all, she scored the extra-time winner that got them into the FA Cup final and she scored the crucial goal that gave them their first ever win over Arsenal.

A big player for the biggest occasions who also has 19 goals in 38 international appearances, Tottenham suddenly find themselves with two of the best strikers in the league who are both fit and fighting ahead of the season - it’s an exciting prospect indeed.

Transfer window

It is hard to imagine that we will not be seeing young England star Grace Clinton tear up the pitch in a Tottenham shirt this season, given just how at home she looked in that position.

But with the midfielder having been recalled from her loan spell by Manchester United, and seemingly taking Celin Bizet with her, the one area that could pose particular difficulty for Spurs is finding a replacement who offers the same energy and passing vision as her.

Vilahamn’s composure and clear intelligence all indicates they will find a solution - and new arrival Anna Csiki could be just that - but their campaign could well depend on just how well Clinton's role is replaced.

As Harry Kane continues his Bundesliga title charge, he’ll next line up against someone he may well have not seen in over a decade.

Kane’s Bayern Munich look to carry on their perfect league start with a trip away to the very north of Germany where they face Holstein Kiel for only the second time in their incredibly storied history.

Kiel made it up to the top flight for the first time in their history ahead of the 2024/25 season, and fans have been rewarded with a visit of the record champions just three games in.

Kiel earned promotion through a number of cult heroes, but none more cult-ish than Kane’s former teammate at Tottenham, Lewis Holtby.

The name will certainly be familiar for many Premier League fans, as the midfielder made 38 top flight appearances in England across four seasons with Spurs and Fulham, recording two goals and five assists.

Holtby, who has an English father, moved to Spurs in 2013 from Schalke, but failed to make an impact at White Hart Lane.

His last appearance for the London side came at the start of the 2014/15 season in a Europa League qualifier against AEL Limassol, and he lined up alongside Kane for the seventh and final time.

That match was over ten years ago, with Holtby going on loan to Fulham then Hamburg, before joining the latter permanently.

Holtby would then return to England with Blackburn in 2019, spending two seasons in the Championship before heading to current club Kiel.

The three-time Germany international was key in the club’s promotion, scoring a number of key goals, and Kane’s Bayern will have to be careful, particularly if history is anything to go by.

The sides have only met on one previous occasion, in 2021 in the German Cup. The second round match at the Holstein-Stadion finished 2-2 at full-time, before Kiel caused a cupset with a penalty shoot-out win.

Bayern will still be confident of getting their revenge this weekend, given they have two wins from two and the home side have lost both of their opening league matches.

Kane opened his Bundesliga account for the season in one of those games against Freiburg, while he added another in the cup against Ulm.

Kane could even smash a Bundesliga record this weekend.

If he gets three goal contributions against Kiel he would reach 50 in the German top-flight in just 35 games.

It would be the fastest anyone has ever reached the total, including Erling Haaland who did it in 43 matches.

And that will give Kane eight bites at the cherry - which you imagine he won't waste.

Bayern's results so far this season have seen them steal an early march on the team likely to be their main competition for the title, reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Ex-Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has revealed how Harry Redknapp’s three-word speech inspired a famous north London derby comeback.

Van der Vaart was central to an incredible turnaround against their bitter rivals and landed their first ever win at the Emirates Stadium.

The win had extra significance as three points for the Gunners would have seen them leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United into top spot.

Spurs had gone 17 years without a win at Arsenal and a disastrous start to the game saw Redknapp’s men slip to a 2-0 deficit at the interval thanks to goals from Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh.

With Spurs on the ropes and fans fearing an embarrassing scoreline, Redknapp took a measured approach to his teamtalk, to the surprise of the Dutch maestro.

Van der Vaart lifted the lid on the famous victory in November 2010 and Redknapp’s composed nature at half time.

"Of course, the first win after so many years at the Emirates, I remember,” he told SunSport.

“It was 2-0 down. It was a terrible game. We were so so bad, and I was also really bad.

"We came in the dressing room and I thought Harry would kill us. And he only said the following, "Let it out". I think it was, "Let it out". And that's it."

Redknapp’s simple message clearly worked wonders for the former Ajax man who set up Gareth Bale to reduce the arrears five-minutes into the second half before stepping up to level from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

And it was Van der Vaart’s free-kick into the box that made all the difference as Younes Kaboul headed what turned out to be the winner five minutes from time.

The turnaround was complete, but Van der Vaart says it would never have been the case if it was not for Redknapp’s speech prior to the second half.

“We went on the pitch, I scored the penalty, I give an assist [and] in the last minute, assist again. And we won that game.

"And after the game, we went to the city. And all the people asked, 'What did Harry say in the half-time?' And, you know, everybody was like, 'What a good speech'.

"And we really felt what to do. That was, I think, amazing, what he did there.

It remains the last time Tottenham claimed a victory at Arsenal but also a stark reminder that form counts for little in the north London derby.

The two side will go toe-to-toe in the north London derby once again this Sunday.

Former Premier League midfielder Etienne Capoue has joined a new club… a third division basketball side.

The 36-year-old was recently released by Spanish side Villarreal, to bring an end to his three-and-a-half-year stay at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

During his stint at Villarreal, he helped the Yellow Submarine win their first and only trophy in their 101-year existence.

He started in their Europa League final victory over Manchester United in 2021 - just months after arriving from Watford.

But incredibly, he could now be about to embark on new career in basketball with Spanish minnows CB Jovens L’Eliana.

That is according to news outlet Relevo, who have stated he has traded the football pitch to the basketball court.

It has been claimed that the Frenchman, who played two years at Tottenham between 2013-2015, has spent the last week training with the club, who ply their trade in the third-tier of the Spanish basketball pyramid.

The news outlet has even said he took part in a friendly match last weekend, which his side won 78-70 against CB Morvedre.

That was backed up by an Instagram post shared by CB Jovens L’Eliana, where Capoue could be seen wearing the club's colours.

Though it has been said he is yet to be registered with the team, meaning he cannot play in any competitive matches.

It remains to be seen whether the ex-Spurs and Watford star will officially link up with the basketball side.

Though a source from CB Jovens L'Eliana clarified Capoue's mindset by telling Relevo he has the firm intention of 'ending his days as a footballer'.

They also stated: "We don't want to put pressure on him. He told us that he wanted to play, that he wanted to train."

Should Capoue pen an official contract at CB Jovens L’Eliana, it would fulfil a childhood dream of his to play basketball.

It was only last year that he discussed his love of the sport, while refusing to rule out a potential career change.

He told Relevo: “My dream as a child was to play NBA basketball. Clearly.

"That was my dream. But it’s still my dream, eh? I don’t know.”