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Arsenal v Tottenham: 5 reasons Spurs will win the North London Derby

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embrace after he is subbed during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embrace after he is subbed during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED – COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES – Image numbers (L) 502540908 and 601783502) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur meet on November 18, 2017 in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London.
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: GRADIENT ADDED – COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES – Image numbers (L) 502540908 and 601783502) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur meet on November 18, 2017 in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London. /

1. Tottenham will play to win

Arsene Wenger will never admit it publicly, but he’d be happy to escape this North London Derby with a single point. That won’t placate his fan base entirely, but it will stave off quite a bit of pressure for another week.

Mauricio Pochettino, in sharp contrast, will enter this match desperately hunting three crucial points. He simply believes he has the better squad. Pochettino also understands that anything less than three points could send Manchester City running away with the Premier League title.

Expect that difference in managerial mindsets to play out on the pitch. Arsenal will set up a bit conservatively and they’ll try to feel Spurs out for the first 20 minutes or so. Spurs will come out flying in a hostile environment. They will look to snatch an early goal to put the Gunners under real pressure.

Next: Tottenham should let Atletico win this battle

Whether Spurs are able to find an early score or not, they will set the tone for the match from the opening whistle. Tottenham are coming to the Emirates in search of a decisive victory. Arsenal will play not to lose. That’s the biggest reason why Spurs will end the day covered in glory.

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