Arsenal vs Tottenham tips and predictions: Goals at a premium in north London derby

Arsenal state of play

Arsenal head into the north London derby off the back of their disappointing FA Cup penalty shootout exit to 10-men Manchester United on Sunday

It capped off a miserable week for Mikel Arteta following the 1-1 Premier League draw at Brighton and 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Check out the best UK bookmakers to claim free bets worth up to £850!

Gunners fans fear that their lack of a top-class striker will impact their trophy chances appears to be coming to fruition and Bukayo Saka’s absence is being felt as Arteta attempts to get his side firing. 

Tottenham state of play

Tottenham continue to be predictably inconsistent after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup before needing extra time to get past fifth-tier Tamworth in the FA Cup just four days later. 

Spurs’ dismal performance against their non-league opponents on Sunday prompted Ange Postecoglou to throw on the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Dominic Solanke to secure the victory. 

It has been far from a vintage Premier League campaign for Tottenham, who are winless in their last four in the competition amid a defensive injury crisis and sitting in the bottom half of the table. 

Key talking point: Can the misfiring Gunners land an attacking blow?

Arsenal’s poor attacking options are evident as they racked up a combined 49 shots in their last two games, with just one goal being scored from 10 attempts on target. 

In fact, their xG over the period (including extra time in the FA Cup) was 8.23. 

Kai Havertz has been guilty of missing a number of chances, including a sitter from a couple of yards against the Red Devils, which has prompted calls from fans for the club to sign an out and out striker. 

The German has never really convinced but is Arsenal’s top league scorer with seven goals, while Gabriel Martinelli and the injured Saka are next on the list with five. 

Despite missing first-choice defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Tottenham are seeking a third-consecutive clean sheet in all competitions and have conceded just nine goals in nine Premier League away games. 

FIRST’s top tip for Arsenal vs Tottenham

Total goals - under 2.5 - 171/100 (Mr.Play) 

Arsenal have not conceded a goal in their last four home league games but lack a cutting edge up front and could struggle to stick the ball in the net against a Tottenham side that boasts the top-flight’s best away defensive record. 

Extra tips

Player to be carded - Kai Havertz - 13/4 (Mr.Play) 

Havertz has more yellow cards than goals in seven previous Premier League appearances against Tottenham and could well earn a booking in a game that is likely to see tempers flare amid a red-hot atmosphere. 

Team news

Gabriel Jesus has joined Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White on the sidelines, while Riccardo Calafiori remains a major doubt. 

Tottenham have a lengthy injury list with Romero, Van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario ruled out. 

Arsenal vs Tottenham predicted line-ups

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Partey, Odegaard; Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz (4-3-3)

Tottenham: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bergvall, Maddison; Kulusevski, Son, Solanke (4-3-3)

Form guide (all competitions)

Arsenal: DWDWWWWDLD

Tottenham: LDWWLLDLWW

Odds correct at the time of writing.