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Does this NLD Mean More to Arsenal or Tottenham?

By Rucker Haringey

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) and midfielder Mousa Dembele (19) react after a goal by Kane during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (18) and midfielder Mousa Dembele (19) react after a goal by Kane during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick /
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With the North London Derby just hours away tensions are running high on both sides as usual. What isn’t the norm, is that both sides come into the game riding waves of sparkling form. That brings up the interesting question of who needs to win this match more: Arsenal or Tottenham?

The Case for Arsenal: The Gunners come into the rivalry match locked in a hotly contested title race. They can ill afford to drop points today or they will almost surely fall behind Manchester City. With their own players already dreaming of hoisting the trophy dropping points at home to Tottenham could be a serious emotional hit.

While Arsenal’s recent form on the whole has been brilliant, their most recent fixture was painful. Losing at Bayern in Champions League play is nothing to be ashamed of, but losing 5-1 isn’t an ordinary score line. One defeat like that can be brushed aside as an anomaly with ease. Following up a drubbing like that with a home defeat to Spurs could cause real consternation.

Lastly, when all is equal in a rivalry fixture, it has to be considered more important to the home side. Since this episode of the North London Derby takes place at the Emirates, it puts the extra pressure on Arsenal.

The Case for Tottenham: While some pundits are touting Spurs as dark horse title contenders, their more reasonable ambition is to secure a place in next year’s Champions League. That has been the “white whale” for the lilywhites and hasn’t been achieved since Harry Redknapp led the side.

Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership has brought belief back to Tottenham in regards to a top four finish. He has Spurs fifth in the table trailing Manchester United by four points for the fourth spot. Every point will be vital down the stretch as Tottenham claws to climb into a Champions League spot.

Remember that Champions League doesn’t just mean prestige for Tottenham. While that in and of itself is important, qualification also has significant financial implications for the North London club. The added revenue would prove very useful in financing Tottenham’s new stadium.

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This derby also has extra meaning after their loss at home to Arsenal earlier this year. Tottenham fans were angry at Pochettino for failing to field his strongest 11 despite it being a Cup fixture. More significantly for Tottenham’s fans, a select group of Arsenal fans vandalized White Hart Lane after their win in a very public fashion. Defeating Arsenal at the Emirates would provide quite the emotional salve for that emotional wound.

The Conclusion: Arsenal just needs this one more. Whereas Mauricio Pochettino is near the beginning of his project at Tottenham, Arsene Wenger is nearing the end of his at Arsenal. They simply have less chances left to achieve their lofty aspirations. The combination of their compressed opportunity window and playing at home makes it more important for the Gunners.

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