“I am going to stick my long neck out” - Chris Sutton makes bold prediction as he tips Tottenham vs Arsenal to become 5-goal thriller
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has made a bold prediction ahead of Tottenham and Arsenal's clash in the Premier League this weekend. The Englishman backed the highly anticipated encounter to become a five-goal thriller, with Spurs stealing the victory by a one-goal margin.
There's been a lot of noise in London over the last couple of days as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur gear up for what promises to be a thrilling face-off in the North London derby at White Hart Lane on Sunday, September 15.
With Mikel Arteta's recent contract renewal coinciding with Martin Odegaard's injury on international duty and Declan Rice's suspension, Chris Sutton previewed what we could expect to see from the Gunners angle on Sunday.
"Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has just signed a new contract, so maybe his mind has been on that new deal and how he can spend it on furnishing his house rather than the north London derby," he wrote for BBC.
"Being serious, though, Rice and Odegaard are such big losses that I can't help but feel it will have an impact. Arsenal have got quality players like Jorginho and Thomas Partey to come into their midfield, but they are missing two of their best players," he added.
The former Premier League star went on to unveil his prediction for the game where he backed Spurs to seal a 3-2 win in front of their fans at White Hart Lane.
"The Gunners will get chances in this game and I expect them to score - they won this fixture 3-2 last season and drew 2-2 at the Emirates, and I am expecting more of the same," he continued.
"This time, however, I am going to back Spurs. I know everyone who is reading this will probably go for a draw but I am not going to do that. Instead, I am going to stick my long neck out and say 'Angeball' will come out on top.
"Spurs have dominated games and created chances this season, but they just need someone to stick the ball in the back of the net and I have a feeling that will happen for them here. If I am right, then we may as well hand the title to Manchester City," the Englishman added.
It is worth noting that Arsenal have not lost any of their last four matches against Tottenham Hotspur. Their record stands at three victorious and one draw between October 10, 2022, and now.
How Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have fared in the Premier League so far this season?
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have both had a mixed start to the 2024-25 Premier League campaign but the Gunners have been the better side. So far, they've played three games in the English top flight, securing two victories and a draw.
Mikel Arteta's men got the season underway with a 2-0 victory over Wolves on Matchday 1. They followed it up with another 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in their second outing but shockingly played out a 1-1 draw with Brighton the last time out.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have recorded one victory, one draw and one defeat to their name in three outings so far. The Spurs played out a 1-1 draw with Leicester City in their opening fixture before beating Everton 4-0 on Matchday 2 before falling to a 1-2 loss against Newcastle.