"What they have to do now is make their own luck" - Martin Keown makes early prediction for Tottenham vs Arsenal clash
Pundit Martin Keown believes Arsenal will get the better of Tottenham Hotspur in the upcoming North London derby on Sunday, September 15. The former Arsenal defender added that he expects it to be a close affair as there isn't much between the two teams.
Spurs will host the Gunners at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their first match after the ongoing international break. Mikel Arteta's men have enjoyed a fairly strong start to the season, winning twice and drawing once in their first three games.
Tottenham have not been as good, winning one, drawing one, and losing one of their opening three encounters. Keown believes his former club, Arsenal, can continue their run of form and see off Spurs' threat. However, it will not be an easy task, as he said on talkSPORT (via Metro):
"I like what Spurs are doing, I like the way they play, the unity in the stadium, the togetherness. It’s a difficult situation. I think maybe now they will be concentrating more on themselves. The last time Arsenal went there it was more about stopping Arsenal from becoming champions."
"Now maybe the new manager is setting a new culture and they have got their own trophies they want to win. It’s been a long time. We have to respect Spurs."
Martin Keown added:
"It’s difficult. You want to go there with your best players but they’re not there. Calafiori is another one who has picked up an injury, [Mikel] Merino, the new signing, the one who would have come in for Rice, it’s not been a lucky start for Arsenal."
"What they have to do now is make their own luck and go into that cauldron and come out with some points."
The 58-year-old was asked if Spurs getting the better of Arsenal would shock him. He replied:
"I think it probably would, yeah. I think it would be a huge blow, that’s for certain but I don’t see that happening."
Arsenal's Premier League season so far
The Gunners started their 2024-25 Premier League season with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Wolves on August 17 in front of their fans at the Emirates Stadium. It was a brilliant performance from the London giants, as they kept a clean sheet alongside their win.
They continued in the same vein in their second match away from home at Aston Villa on August 24, beating the hosts 2-0 and racking up six points on the table.
The Gunners faced Brighton at the Emirates in the third matchweek on August 31. They took the lead through Kai Havertz in the opening half and looked reasonably comfortable, but the game turned on its head when Declan Rice was sent off in the second half.
The Seagulls went on an onslaught that produced the equalizing goal to end the match 1-1. The Gunners will hope that they can improve when they face Spurs this weekend.