The Sun

"It's a big game and exciting game. These are the ones you want to be involved in.

"It [Arsenal's injuries] really doesn't play any factor into our thinking. You're playing against a top team, and whoever they put out there it will be a big contest. We've got some players back which is really pleasing.

"Bissouma is the only one who misses out. He tried yesterday, but with the international break there wasn't any point risking.

"We've played really well but we have missed a bit of cutting edge. Dom Solanke trained well this week, it's his first home game and he's looking forward to getting amongst it.

"We've seen when the fans are right behind us, we can beat anyone, we need that today."

Ange Postecoglou

"For me, there was never a doubt [about his new contract]. I am very privileged to be in the situation that I am.

"Win today, that's the only target. It's about the performance and what we do daily.

"We know the standards. We know since we started this process, we have to match it or be better."

Mikel Arteta

ROBIN VAN PERSIE suffered an embarrassing 9-1 defeat as manager of Dutch side Heerenveen.

In just his fourth game in charge of the club, he saw his team demolished by AZ Alkmaar.

Van Persie looked devastated on the sidelines as Heerenveen conceded SEVEN goals in just 37 second-half minutes.

And to make matters worse for the former Arsenal striker, ex-Tottenham youngster Troy Parrot scored four times.

The disaster began just a few minutes into the game as Sven Mijnans broke the deadlock for the hosts.

But there was brief hope as Luuk Brouwers headed in to equalise after 19 minutes.

Parrott got his first soon after - only for the floodgates to open in the second-half.

The 22-year-old got another three as Ibrahim Sadiq, Mexx Meerdink, Kristijan Belic and Zico Buurmeester helped themselves to goals in the rout.

Heerenveen fans raged after the game, with one saying: "Total disgrace and humiliation."

Another added: "Not all great players turn out to be great managers."

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Others called for the club to reimburse their travelling supporters.

The defeat leaves Van Persie's side 12th in the Eredivisie, with one win, one draw and two losses so far.

ARSENAL are all set to face bitter North London rivals Tottenham in another thrilling Premier League encounter - but they will NOT be wearing red.

The Gunners did the double over Spurs last season, most recently beating them in a five-goal thriller after leading 3-0 at half-time.

And other than the result, another thing both games had in common was that Arsenal wore their traditional red kit for each win.

But for the first time in recent North London Derby history, this will not be the case.

Why are Arsenal not wearing their red kit?

The PGMOL and Premier League ruled that Arsenal's 2024/25 home kit features too much white which clashes with Tottenham's traditional colours.

Arsenal also discussed the option of wearing red shorts and red socks but it was rejected.

As a result, for the first time in recent ‘NLD’ history, the Gunners will be wearing their changed colours - a black Adidas away kit.

They'll be aiming to clinch a third-straight victory at the Tottenham Hotspur venue.

The decision by the PGMOL and Premier League will also mean Tottenham will wear different colours when they visit Emirates Stadium in January.

What happened in the last North London derby?

Arsenal picked up a huge win over Tottenham in the last North London Derby which at the time, helped them move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners dominated a controversial first half that saw Spurs being denied Micky van de Ven's equaliser as well as two penalty appeals by James Maddison and Timo Werner.

However, Mikel Arteta's men still managed to lead 3-0 by half-time thanks to an own goal by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and goals by Bukayo Saka as well as Kai Havertz.

YOU can’t please all of the people all of the time, so the saying goes — and no one knows that better than a football manager.

There wasn’t a week of my 40 years in the job when I didn’t realise as much... and 40 years from now they will be saying the same.

Yet I must admit it wasn’t a phrase I thought would be used when Mikel Arteta signed his new three-year contract at Arsenal on Friday. How wrong can you be?

After finishing runners-up twice on the run, you would imagine his new deal was something of a no-brainer.

And if the title goes anywhere but the Etihad this time, it will probably be to the Emirates.

I realise most Arsenal fans agree with me, too, in thinking Arteta is doing such a great job he should be there as long as he wants to be.

Not everyone, though. Some have had a pop at extending his contract after four years without a trophy.

Probably the same ones who said he should be sacked if he didn’t win the title this season. Incredible!

It’s always baffled me why Arteta has copped the flak he has off some supporters.

They say Graham Taylor had the impossible job with England — but Arsenal is close at times!

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

He has got them playing amazing football, at a great level, they have been second twice and could so ­easily have been heading to Tottenham for Saturday’s North London derby as Premier League champions.

If Spurs’ Son Heung-min had scored that one-on-one against City in May they would have been.

That’s how close Arsenal were to winning it… and they’ll be bang there again this time.

OK, maybe there’s no out-and-out centre forward but you tell me where they can find one — someone good enough for the top, top level.

There’s only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane but in terms of who’s available, there is no one.

And 91 Premier League goals without a big No .9 wasn’t too shabby.

Apart from that, Arteta has built a great side, with cover everywhere... and let’s face it, he’s going to need it on this afternoon.

Arteta has built a great side, with cover everywhere... and let’s face it, he’s going to need it on Sunday afternoon.

Harry Redknapp

Declan Rice is banned, Mikel Merino injured and now no Martin Odegaard for three weeks with a damaged ankle either.

His entire engine room on the sidelines against their biggest rivals... what a chance this is for Tottenham. I’m sure they’re rubbing their hands.

There aren’t many clubs who can better their midfield of James Maddison, Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr.

But then again, Arteta has got so much depth to his squad these days that Jorginho isn’t a bad player to bring in!

So for all those missing names, I still can’t see Arsenal losing.

Maybe they will have to settle for a point but certainly nothing worse than that.

Which wouldn’t be great news for Ange Postecoglou, because if either of these managers is going to be under pressure this year, it’s him.

He got off to a flier last season but there is no margin for error now — it’s got to be the top four, or at least deliver a trophy.

The way the League Cup is these days, top teams coming in halfway through and how the draw is done, the big guns have an even greater chance of lifting the trophy.

So Ange should have a good look at winning it, rather than picking a reserve team, as going to Coventry on Wednesday won’t be a walkover.

But let’s face it, it’s all about the derby — and Spurs should be going into it with nine points from their first three games.

So for all those missing names, I still can’t see Arsenal losing.

Harry Redknapp

They should have had it won by half-time at Leicester on the opening weekend, yet let them back in and ended up with a 1-1 draw.

And if they had taken half their chances at Newcastle before the international break, the late goal they conceded would have just been a consolation and not the winner in a 2-1 defeat.

Instead, it has turned into Tottenham’s worst Premier League start in four years, so the spotlight is on Ange, not Arteta.

If he is anything like me, though, he will be relishing the challenge, because games against Arsenal were always so special.

I loved every one of them — especially when we won!

Sadly for Ange, I think he’s going to have to wait a bit longer to know how good that feels.

ARSENAL manager Mikel Arteta is NOT ruling captain Martin Odegaard out of the North London Derby.

The Gunners face rivals Tottenham on Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but may be without Odegaard, 25, who poses as a massive doubt.

The playmaker suffered an ankle injury during Norway's Nations League clash with Austria on Monday.

The ex-Real Madrid star limped off the pitch in tears following a rough challenge from Christoph Baumgartner.

The Norway international was later seen on crutches while boarding a flight back to London.

Arteta, however, revealed Arsenal doctors have yet to reach a final decision as to whether Odegaard will play against Spurs.

The Spanish tactician hinted there will be a late call and left all potential scenarios open.

Arteta said in his pre-match press conference: "We need some more tests. Let’s see what happens in the next day or so. This afternoon probably.

"Let’s see the extent of the injury and how quickly we can get him back. Martin wants to be here every day but we have to wait and see.

I leave that to the doctor.

"He’s willing and he wants to be present in every game. We need to make sure we know first how good he is or not. Players with 48 hours are always available. Let’s see what happens."

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Arteta, who signed a new contract that ties him to the Emirates until 2027, is facing quite a midfield headache as Declan Rice is suspended and summer signing Mikel Merino is injured.

The Arsenal manager may also have to make a late call on Riccardo Calafiori.

Calafiori also picked up a knock during international duty with Italy after a freak clash with France ace Ousmane Dembele last week.

Arteta said: "He’s another one where we’ll have to wait another day."

Tottenham flop Clinton Njie has joined Rapid Bucharest ... with the Romanian club announcing him alongside former US president BILL CLINTON.

Spurs paid Lyon £8.3million in 2015 for the Cameroon striker, now 31.

However, Njie failed to score in 14 senior games, and made all his eight Premier League appearances as a sub.

He left for Marseille after a year, and has since played for Dynamo Moscow and Turkish club Sivasspor.

A free agent this summer, he has now penned a deal with Rapid - who finished sixth in Romania's 16-team top flight last season.

And the capital city club introduced him on social media with a bizarre video - that begins with film of two-term Democrat president Clinton making speeches.

Njie then appears, announcing in English: "I am the REAL Clinton."

Footage then follows of the player scoring goals for his clubs, a pleasure denied to Tottenham's fans.

Njie told Rapid's website: "I'm happy to be here - it's a pleasure for me to join one of the biggest clubs in Romania.

"I saw how much the club wanted me to come here, and it was easy for me to make a decision. I'm excited to start working at Rapid."

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

The Bucharest club has won three Liga 1 titles, the last in 2003.

Njie, capped 44 times, won the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2017.

However, his best achievements at club level have been a series of runners-up medals.

SUPER SUNDAY returns with an almighty bang this weekend, kicking off with a highly-anticipated North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the mammoth Premier League contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

Find The Sun's betting publishing principles here

Tottenham vs Arsenal preview

This derby is always a belter but this one just feels a bit different.

The changes in style of play for Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou have been huge and Arsenal's pursuit of the title is constantly under the microscope.

Added to the fact that the Gunners dropped points before the break, this one is huge for them.

Tottenham have just four points to their name after their three league games having gone down 2-1 to Newcastle prior to the break.

It's not been a happy fixture for Spurs and their supporters in recent times, losing the last two at home with a draw at the Emirates sandwiching those.

It's four NLDs without a win for Spurs but they'd won three home derbies on the bounce prior to that and this looks a decent enough opportunity.

That's because the Gunners are without suspended Declan Rice and injured Martin Odegaard for the short trip.

With Man City and Liverpool playing a day previously, the gap at the top could grow if Arsenal don't take maximum points here.

When is Tottenham vs Arsenal?

Tottenham vs Arsenal will take place on Sunday, September 15

It is scheduled to kick off at 14:00pm BST

The encounter will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

What TV channel is Tottenham vs Arsenal on and can it be live streamed?

Tottenham vs Arsenal will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Subscription members can also stream the entire action on the Sky Go app.

Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the whole match.

Tottenham vs Arsenal team news

Micky van de Ven could make a timely return to action having missed the Newcastle defeat and pulling out of the Netherlands squad in the international break.

Dominic Solanke is expected to be fit too having missed the last two games but Yves Bissouma and Richarlison are set to miss out.

Arsenal are without Declan Rice through suspension and have major injury doubts over other top stars.

Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori were both injured on international duty, with the former expected to be out for a couple of weeks. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Mikel Merino are all out.

What are the odds for Tottenham vs Arsenal?

Tottenham 2/1 with William Hill - CLAIM HERE

Draw 13/5 with William Hill - CLAIM HERE

Arsenal 13/10 with William Hill - CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Tottenham vs Arsenal betting tips and predictions

Double booked

Excitement, passion, goals, tackles. It's all expected in this fixture.

But none more so than yellow cards - it's an absolute certainty.

Aussie Jarred Gillett is the man in the middle and has shown ten yellow cards in his two Premier League games so far.

Thomas Partey could be isolated in the middle without usual figures Rice and Odegaard alongside him - and Cristian Romero is incredible value!

Thomas Partey to be booked at 21/20 with William Hill - CLAIM HERE

Cristian Romero to be booked at 11/8 with William Hill - CLAIM HERE

All square

Arsenal can't afford to drop more points behind their title rivals here.

Spurs can't afford to lose another derby against their closest rivals.

With injuries and suspensions harming the Gunners, they might just need to settle for a point - so we've looked for a bit of value given goals are a certainty!

Correct score to be 2-2 at 11/1 with William Hill - CLAIM HERE

*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. New players only, using promo code T60. Valid from 13/04/2022. Online play. Get £60 Bonus split between Vegas & Sports in the following manner – (i) Deposit £10 to unlock £20 Vegas Free Bet on Selected Games (72hr expiry, wagering reqs apply); then (ii) bet £10+ (odds 1/2+) with cash (excl. £10 deposit) or Vegas winnings (after wager reqs met). Once settled, receive £40 Sports Free Bets excluding Virtual Markets (4x £10, 7 days expiry). Payment methods & country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

*Betfred. New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.

*BetMGM. New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.

*talkSPORT BET. 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

*Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing

Only gambles with money they can afford to lose

Never chase their losses

Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed

Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

STEPHEN CARR knows what it is like to play for an uncompromising, hell-for-leather Tottenham manager – and does not think Ange Postecoglou fits that profile.

Sure, the Aussie favours attack over defence and his team do seem to have a habit of “shooting themselves in the foot” at the back, according to Carr.

But the Irishman does not think the current Spurs chief is as unwilling to adapt his philosophy as Ossie Ardiles was in the 90s.

Carr racked up 272 appearances in 11 seasons for Tottenham, the first of which he played under gung-ho Ardiles in 1993-94.

And though he expects Postecoglou to go at an Arsenal missing three key men in Sunday’s North London derby, he believes the 59-year-old is capable of tweaking his approach.

Carr told SunSport in association with igaming software solutions: “I think he will adapt.

“He will have learnt from playing them last year (when Arsenal raced into a 3-0 lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and won the game 3-2).

“This is a good time to play them. Declan Rice is suspended and he is pivotal in midfield. Martin Odegaard, I can’t see him being fit. They’re two huge losses for them.

“I played under Ossie Ardiles. Ossie would never, ever change.

“Ange is not that severe, but I still think he will go at Arsenal.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

“It’s about finding a balance. He’s an experienced manager, I don’t think he just goes gung-ho, we’re attacking and that’s it. I don’t think that’s ever the gameplan.

“But they seem to shoot themselves in the foot a bit.”

Carr, 48, was a quality attacking full-back in his day and would have loved to have played in Postecoglou’s system – though he admits the space left in behind the Spurs’ defence would have been a worry.

Postecoglou’s attractive style and charisma captured the imagination of supporters beyond just the Tottenham fanbase when he first arrived last summer.

But a poor end to the campaign and a patchy start to this one means questions will be asked if his side lose convincingly to their arch-rivals this weekend.

Carr is a big fan of the ex-Celtic chief but insists avoiding defeat is a must.

Lee Carsley’s former Ireland team-mate added: “It is early in the season. But I do think it’s important he gets a result and doesn’t lose.

“I’ve played enough derby games, if fans go home and don’t lose, they’re happy.

“It’s a big game for him, he’ll know that.”

Pedro Porro has become an essential part of Postecoglou’s approach and is arguably Spurs’ most creative player, despite being a right-back.

Carr sees similarities to another full-back with a wand of a right foot who took centre stage for England against Finland on Tuesday night.

The ex-Newcastle and Birmingham defender added: “Porro reminds me of Trent Alexander-Arnold on the ball.

“People hammer him saying he doesn’t do this, he doesn’t do that, but he creates the most chances on the pitch. Porro is the same.

“I love watching him. His talent on the ball is phenomenal and it has to be utilised.

“Will you give up a bit to utilise it? Yeah, you will.

“I played with David Ginola, he would never run back but he would win the game for you. That’s the way it is.

“It’s the way it’s changing. Full-backs do get involved a hell of a lot more now, moving inside and up front.

“He’s a great footballer, a great passer of the ball, settled in now and he can only get better and better.”

Spurs fans are desperate for their 16-year trophy drought to end, meaning Wednesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Coventry has nearly as much importance as Sunday’s clash with the old enemy

Asked if Postecoglou could end the long wait, Carr, who won the League Cup with Spurs in 1999, added: “He can, he’s proven that before.

“He’ll be confident he can win a trophy, without a shadow of a doubt.

“You just need that little bit of luck at times. There’s a lot of games coming up this year.

“There’s no reason why it can’t end. Their squad is good enough to win a trophy. The league? No. The cups? Yeah. He can end it. But it’s not easy.”

RAY PARLOUR backed injury-hit Arsenal to handle their big-name losses for the North London derby — just as his team did against Inter Milan in 2003.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have a potential triple whammy of key midfielders out for Sunday’s trip to arch-rivals Tottenham.

Declan Rice is suspended thanks to his red card against Brighton last month, while new signing Mikel Merino is sidelined due to an injury picked up in training.

And now captain Martin Odegaard is a huge doubt after hobbling off during Norway’s 2-1 Nations League win over Austria on Monday.

Odegaard was later spotted on crutches, nursing his injured ankle.

Parlour admits the absentee list is a “huge blow” going into this weekend’s powder-keg clash in N17.

But he wants a response from Arteta’s side similar to that of Arsene Wenger’s men 21 years ago when they headed to the San Siro in the Champions League group stage without the injured Patrick Vieira and the unavailable Dennis Bergkamp.

Wenger’s men shrugged off the setback and famously ran out 5-1 winners, thanks to a Thierry Henry double and goals from Freddie Ljungberg, Edu and Robert Pires.

Gunners Invincible legend Parlour, who captained the side in Vieira’s absence, told SunSport: “We had lost 3-0 at Highbury to Inter and we went to the San Siro.

“Patrick was out, Dennis Bergkamp didn’t play because he didn’t fly.

“I played in midfield with Edu. That was a time when everyone had to step up.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

“Everyone thought, ‘They’re missing two key players in Bergkamp and Vieira, do we give them much chance?’.

“We always thought we could go there and win the game, no problem. But I didn’t expect us to win it 5-1.

“I always remember after the game with Arsene Wenger, I said, ‘Boss, from now on I’ve got to be captain, surely.

"If we lose 3-0 at home and Patrick’s captain and we go to the San Siro and win 5-1, I’ve got to be captain!’.

“He started laughing and said, ‘No, Patrick is our captain’.

“But that’s the sort of game to emulate. You’ve got to go there and players have got to step up. Edu was brilliant in midfield with me. Henry was unbelievable that night.

“You had Pires, Freddie Ljungberg. You had people like Jeremie Aliadiere coming on and playing well.

“That’s the sort of game where you needed people to step up and it’s very similar to this weekend.

“You can never think that you’re missing players, ‘We’re going to struggle today’.

“You’ve got to go out and think, ‘Hang on a minute, there’s another opportunity here’.

"It’s a similar situation to this weekend. Jorginho won’t be used a lot but he’s probably a big influence in the dressing room and can come in, when needed, to do a brilliant job for the team.”

Parlour fancies Leandro Trossard to play more centrally if Odegaard does miss the game and thinks the Belgian can interchange with Kai Havertz up top.

Arsenal started the season with back-to-back 2-0 wins over Wolves and Aston Villa but went into the international break after a 1-1 draw with Brighton.

Some might say that is a gap Arteta’s side cannot afford to let open up, even at this early stage of the season — but Parlour disagrees.

Speaking via NetBet Online Casino, the three-time Premier League winner added: “You can’t judge the league after four games.

“It’s a rollercoaster ride because you are going to have times when you have key players missing, like Arsenal have now. They’ve got to ride it.

“It’s a long, hard slog. I always said, if you’ve got a chance with eight games to go, then that’s when you’ve got to push. You have to stay in the hunt.

“Looking at the scenario now, I would say a draw is a decent result away at Spurs. If we win it’s a massive bonus but don’t lose it.”

Parlour also feels Spurs can afford to lose this game and still achieve what they want to this season, amid suggestions manager Ange Postecoglou may be under pressure if his side are beaten.

One player looking to make an impact will be James Maddison, who was left out of the England squad by interim boss Lee Carsley — despite Jude Bellingham being unavailable.

The seven-cap ace now looks well down the pecking order for the No 10 slot, with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White all ahead of him too.

Parlour, 51, who won ten caps for the Three Lions, said: “He needs to not even think about England.

“All you’ve got to do is concentrate on your club football. You don’t sulk or feel sorry for yourself.

“He needs to knuckle down, be the main man for Spurs, control midfields week in, week out, be a really important player to win Spurs that first trophy or make the top four.

“England will then notice it and he’ll be straight back in that squad."

A FORMER Tottenham star is reportedly being lined up for a move to Italy.

The 35-year-old is looking for a new club after being made a free agent by Croatian outfit Hadjuk Split.

He joined Hajduk last January on loan from Spurs, before ripping up his contract in north London to make the move permanent this summer.

But after playing just four games as a permanent addition to his hometown club, he was cut loose following a fallout with new boss Gennaro Gattuso last month.

Now he is searching for a new club after being left in limbo, and it looks like a return to Serie A could be on the cards.

According to reports, Monza are looking to sign the experienced star as they search for a new full-back.

Monzas boss Alessandro Nesta is said to be keen to bring in a new left-back with his side yet to win a league game this season.

And according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Monza chairman Adriano Gallini is "dreaming" of signing the player to fill the void.

However, it's also claimed that the former World Cup finalist is hesitating over the move.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Perisic joined Spurs from the Inter in 2022 with the club managed by Antonio Conte at the time.

But the arrival of Ange Postecoglou at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium ultimately saw the veteran lose his place in the side and join a number of high-profile players in mass exodus from the club.

Perisic left Spurs having made 50 appearances and scored one goal.