Mikel Arteta has discussed the different challenges that the current Tottenham side will pose compared to the Ange Postecoglou team they faced last season.
Thomas Frank has said that he is “super excited” for his first North London derby, and so he should be, as this is the game where reputations are forged for both sets of players and staff.
Additionally, one can argue that the pressure is off the Dane and his side as Arsenal go into Sunday’s game as overwhelming favourites.
Most pundits have not given Tottenham a chance of getting a result at the Emirates, but the Lilywhites can take confidence from their outstanding away record this season.
Mikel Arteta claims Thomas Frank has bought something ‘very different’ to Tottenham
Arsenal had a smash-and-grab 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, while they came from a goal down to win 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium back in January of this year.
However, Arteta admits that the challenge that this Spurs side will pose is very different to the one they faced last season.
When asked what different challenges Tottenham will pose compared to last season, the Gunners boss said (via Arsenal’s official website): “Well, I think every game is very different and in the same season as well, depending on the momentum of each team, the games are very, very different.
“I think Thomas has brought something very different to what they had before as well. And you just have to see it as his record and how remarkable a job he did in his previous club. And he’s given a very clear identity to the team, how they want to play, how they want to compete, and it will be very tough.”
Arteta admits North London derbies have a ‘different’ feel to other games
The Spaniard has a very good record in North London derbies of late, and having represented the Gunners for a long time as a player, he understands what the rivalry means to the supporters.
Arteta admitted that the players need to approach this game differently from a normal match, while also not getting carried away by the emotions.
When asked what makes a North London derby so unique, the Spaniard said (via Arsenal’s official website): “It’s just different. It’s a big city, but it’s a big rivalry; it’s a part of London that we want to conquer, and they want to do the same. There’s been a lot of shifts as well over the years, we’ve been more dominant, and it’s just beautiful, especially when we play at home in front of our people.
“We know what it means to them and the energy that they’re going to bring, the energy that the team is going to bring in every single action and it’s just a privilege to play those kind of games, we cannot wait to get to Sunday.”
When asked about Arsenal’s positive results against Tottenham of late, Arteta responded: “Yes, that emotion requires something else, and you cannot be too high, but, at the same time, that game demands that in every ball and every action, you have to be at it a bit more than in any other game.
“We have found a really good balance. We played well, some days we have won, some days we’ve been a bit lucky as well, which is fair to say. So on Sunday, we need a really, really good performance to beat them.