“OHHHH WHAT A GOALLLLLL!!!” – Danny Rose

October 31st. North London Derby. Predictions.

This Saturday will once again see another North London derby. A fixture which is one of my favourite throughout the year and yet at the same time one that I dread the most.  For the last 10 years, Arsenal have been the favourite to win the derby which means that anything less than this feels like a victory for Spurs.

This Saturday’s derby promises to be one of the most interesting in a long time.  Both teams have strong squads and have kicked off their seasons with a set of impressive results and performances.  Every Arsenal or Spurs fan I speak to at the moment has been looking forward to this game for weeks.

So what will happen at the Emirates?  My prediction is a 2-2 draw.

Why have I gone for a 2-2 draw?  We’ll I’m glad you asked.  There are two main reasons.  First despite having a weakened squad due to the loss of key players such as Defoe, Modric and Lennon and losing to Stoke, Spurs always play out of their ksin in the derby.  I believe this will pull them through to perform well at the Emirates.

Second, although I believe Arsenal should win, particulary as they are in great form and some players have hit good form (such as van Persie, Fabregas and Arshavin), they still have an uncanny ability to make stupid mistakes and throw away wins.

Therefore with these two factors in mind, I’ve opted for a 2-2 draw.  With a controversial penalty decision not given.  Just for fun.

Obviously though, I’m praying for an Arsenal win.  Cos that would be superb.  Adm defintley not a loss as that would result in at least a year of over the top smugness from certain Spurs fans.

James

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Response and Prediction by Simon

I have to say, I find James’ prediction above to be a smidgin generous. I have the sneaking suspicion he is playing it safe going for a draw, but there we go. If I’m honest, I’m not particularly optimistic this year, which is odd given Spurs have done so well so far. Here are some reasons for my lack of optimism:

1. Defoe is missing: while on paper Tottenham have three other international quality strikers, I still think Defoe will be a big loss. Keane’s form has been largely abysmal this year, other than that game where he scored four (obviously). In most games he has simply disappeared, which is worrying. Crouch is great, but he needs a lively strike partner, and Keane is not especially lively right now. As for Pavlyuchenko, he looks about as confident as, well, <this little creature> . With Defoe playing, we would have beaten Stoke; as it was, we didn’t even score.

2. Other Injuries: With Modric and now Lennon missing, as well as Defoe, I wonder where that little spark of magic you need in these games will come from. Bentley? Perhaps, but unlikely. Kranjcar? Well, I’m sceptical. Those three (Modric, Lennon, Defoe) are really the three quickest, most inventive players we have. Without any of them playing the role of catalyst, I’m not sure from where we will get any flashes of genius.

3. Last two performances against top clubs: Excusing the win against Liverpool on the first day of the season, we haven’t looked great against the other top clubs this year. OK, so we’ve only played two others, but in both the Man. Utd and Chelsea games we gave quite disappointing performances. We will need to play very well to get a win, or even a draw, on Saturday.

4. A hunch: I just have a hunch we’ll have a tough day on Saturday. I think the Stoke game may have shaken our confidence, even though we beat Everton midweek. That Stoke game was the first time this year when we’ve been beaten when we should have won. That may mean a tiny bit of insecurity may start to slip in for us, which could be fatal against the Gunners.

All that said, then, my prediction for Saturday is 2-1 to Arsenal.

But I will be delighted if I am proven wrong.

Simon

Sunday 8th Feb, North London Derby Predictions

So once again its time for the North London Derby this Sunday at White Hart Lane.  Here are my thoughts and resulting prediction:

This game always has massive importance for both teams, but due to current circumstances, both teams will be extra keen on coming away with all three points.

Arsenal

Despite recent results not looking too great on paper, Arsenal have gone a number of games without being defeated.  However, they have not been playing very well, espically against teams who have just sat back and defended (e.g. West Ham, Wigan).   However this is unlikely to be the case against Spurs where both teams will most likely attack whenever possible.  Arsenal are also missing a number of key player, particulary in midfield, but this might not matter if players such as Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri perform as well as they have been doing lately.

Arsenal will be desperate for the points to catch up on the ever growing gap between them and Aston Villa and will also wih for some revenge after Tottenham’s late equaliser last derby.  Will this make them perform well?  Only time will tell.

Tottenham

Over the last couple of games, Spurs have been poor.  They have conceded too many goals in the dying minutes of the game, but at times the players have shown their true ability as a squad.  An example of this is the recent fixture against Bolton where they managed to score two goals and get back in the game, despite not playing particulary well at the time. 

However despite all this, the North London Derby has fallen at an opportune time for Spurs.  After their splashing out during the transfer window, the team could well of recieved a vital new lease of life, particualry with the addition of Cudicini in goal, Palacios in midfield and Robbie Keane upfront.  Keane is a player who always seems to get goals against Arsenal.  If they win this game, it could well give them the confidence to go on another winning streak.  Considering they are also facing a relegation struggle, they will be equally as keen as Arsenal to win this fixture.

My Prediction

Despite both teams having poor form, this matters little coming fixture.

into Sunday’s game.  Both sides, and particulary Tottenham of late, tend to ‘up their game’ for this clash.  The key feature will probably be the effect the new signings have on Spurs. 

Keeping all this in mind I honestly believe it could go either way, so I’ll opt for the middle ground and predict a 1-1 draw.

James

Spurs win, Arsenal lose, Lennon to blame

Results for both Arsenal and Spurs went somewhat against expectations this weekend. On the back of that sensational 4-4 draw at the Emirates last Wednesday, Arsenal suffered a somewhat embarrassing 2-1 loss to Stoke City. Both Stoke goals were a little soft, stemming from Arsenal’s indecisive defending of two Rory Delap long throws. But the result was not the only thing that went wrong for Arsenal, as Adebayor, Walcott and Sagne all went off with what what could be serious injuries, and Robin van Persie received a red card for a silly foul on the Stoke goalkeeper. Wenger described it as ‘a difficult day’ all round for the Gooners.

Things went rather differently for Spurs, as they saw off Liverpool 2-1 at White Hart Lane. It was a somewhat fortunate result, as the Reds had several chances to put the game to bed before Spurs’ 70th minute equaliser (an own goal by Jamie Carragher), and Roman Pavlyuchenko’s injury time winner. Tottenham have had very little luck this season, though, and so I feel a result such as this one was well overdue. It was the first time Robbie Keane had returned to the Lane since his transfer in the summer, and he got some boos during the game, but also received a rapturous round of applause from most of the crowd when he was substituted mid-way through the second half. I expect Robbie will always be welcome back at Spurs, although it’s unlikely the same can be said for Dimitar Berbatov.

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Given these two contrasting results, then, one can only speculate as to just how much of an impact Aaron Lennon’s 94th minute equaliser in Wednesday’s North London Derby actually had on this weekend’s results. For one thing, the press has been writing a whole load about how shaken was the Arsenal camp by Spurs’ dramatic comeback in that game, and had Arsenal won on Wedneday, I think it’s unlikely they would have lost in such acrimonious circumstances at Stoke yesterday. Their self-confidence seems to have been seriously undermined by the derby result, and I would agree with Mark Lawrenson’s comments on last night’s Match of the Day, when he suggested that Arsenal looked mentally very weak against Stoke. By the same token, one might question whether Spurs’ could have mustered the self-belief to come back and win so late against Liverpool last night, unless they were still riding on the euphoria of their late comeback against Arsenal. In both cases, therefore, Aaron Lennon’s late equaliser last Wednesday seems to have played a key part in determining the mentality of both teams going into yesterday’s games, and subsequently in determining the results themselves.

If Spurs continue their upward momentum and Arsenal fail to halt their poor form, then, this year’s first North London Derby may well prove to have been pivotal for both clubs this season.

Simon

A Spurs fan’s reflections on the North London Derby

Well, 4-4, who would have predicted it? The word ‘incredible’ does not do justice! A quite remarkable game. As a Spurs’ fan, given our shocking start to the season and the nature of the game itself, I am obviously delighted at the result. I thought the boys showed resolve, determination and spirit – three things which have been in short supply so far this season. And while Arsene (and ‘Simon Dron’, whoever he is) both think Arsenal deserved to win, I would agree with the likes of Andy Gray, Phil Thompson and Jamie Redknapp who after the game stated that Spurs deserved their draw.

I understand James’ frustration (below) regarding the nature of Tottenham’s goals, but I think the same could be said for at least three, and perhaps all four, of Arsenal’s. Gomes was clearly at fault for the first; a needless free-kick and Corluka’s poor marking led to the second; Hutton should have been braver in stopping Adebayor getting to the ball for the third; and Hutton again dropped a clanger for the fourth. So I think both defences were weak, and made silly mistakes which led to goals. At least in Spurs ‘credit’ column there was a piece of genius in Bentley’s goal, and further genius in Modric’s shot which rebounded off the post and led to the fourth goal. Arsenal did look more dangerous throughout, and shouldn’t have conceded two goals late on, but I don’t think that detracts from Spurs’ achievement in securing a late draw at the Emirates. Although Arsenal will certainly need to tighten up their defence if they’re going to challenge for the title.

The best part of the evening for me. however, was when a group of incredibly loud and obnoxious Arsenal fans (not all Arsenal fans are obnoxious, James for instance is a reasonable Arsenal fan, but these were obnoxious with a capital ‘O’), next to whom I had been sat the entire game, on hearing the final whistle, proceeded to stand up and angrily throw all their chairs over, all the while making caveman-like grunts and groans. They then stomped around the room banging tables and walls for about five minutes. ‘Twas a joyous sight!

Overall, though, I think both teams should be congratulated for a well-played and entertaining game that will be talked about for many years to come.

Simon

P.S. Here are some funny video links from the Sky Sports website:

Fanzone (absolutely hilarious!!!) – click here

Phil Thompson reacts to Spurs’ equaliser in Sky Sports’ studio – click here

 

An Arsenal fans reflection on the North London Derby

To be honest, the North London Derby has left me an assorted hodge-podge of emotions. 

From a neutral perspective, it was a fantastic game of football.  So on one hand I feel good after watching it.

One the other hand, I feel annoyed and frustrated.  It was a story of Arsenal once again not finishing a game off and taking advantage of their chances.  My man on the inside (Simon Dron, a local accountant of upstanding moral character) was at the Emirates and told me that the game was mostly dominated by Arsenal and that they deserved the win.  So it is frustrating to drop the points and not win.  It was also a tad annoying that two goals were scored off rebounds, one was an unlikely wonder goal, and the other was a silly defensive slip by an otherwise solid Gael Clichy.  Too add to this is the frustration that had Redknapp of not come this past week, Arsenal would of almost defintley thumped Spurs.

But from an attempted less biased viewpoint, fair game to Tottenham.  They played well, stuck at it, and got a draw that must feel more like a win to them.  The class of players such as Bentley and Modric started to show and they took advantage of Arsenal’s sloppyiness at the end.  This has no doubt given Spurs the biggest lift possible, brushing away all the cobwebs from the last few weeks.  If I were Liverpool, I would be much more concerned now.

Once again the North London Derby has produced a highly entertaining fixture, but for an Arsenal fan, it feels more like a frustrating defeat than a draw. 

James

North London Derby: Predictions

Hello!  What’s that looming over the horizon?  Its only the North London Derby, come to visit us again this Wednesday evening.  Once again Arsenal and Tottenham will meet to decide who owns bragging rights for the next few months.   Will the Tottenham faithful be revelling in a similar win to last time these two met, or will the Arsenal fans once again pose the rhetorical question as to ‘whether we can hear the Tottenham sing?’ 

Personally I wasn’t looking forward to the match until the appointment of Redknapp.  But now I can’t wait.  The changes at White Hart Lane should give Spurs the added oomph they need to challenge Arsenal, whilst the Gunners will be looking to avenge the Carling Cup semi final defeat of last season. 

As Arsenal are the more dominant team at the moment by far, and the Spurs defence is looking shaky, you’ve got the fancy the Arsenal to win.  But regardless of recent form, Tottenham always seem to raise their game for the derby and with the added bonus of a fresh start from Monsieur Redknapp, they could well surprise people with a win or convincing draw at the Emirates.

My prediction: 2-1 Arsenal

What about everyone else?

James

Seven Sisters Road!!

Hello!

Seven Sisters Road is a collaborative blog between James Pearson, an Arsenal fan, and Simon Ravenscroft, a Tottenham Hotspur fan. Traditional enemies in footballing matters, Misters Pearson and Ravenscroft are putting aside their differences to engage in a public, international and ground-breakingly pointless online conversation about the ins and outs of top-flight English football. “It is doomed”, I hear you say. Well, perhaps… doomed to be a fantastic success!!!

(Seven Sisters Road is in North London. It is famous as the road which runs between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur football clubs, separating the two fierce rivals by a mere four miles [according to Google Maps]).