Tottenham v Arsenal: Why It Is More Than A Derby Match This Season

Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at White Hart Lane today in one of the biggest games of the weekend. Then, when that's over, we are being treated to Manchester United's clash with arch rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Any derby fixture will include friction between the fans of two clubs' players, managers, and fans as it is just more than a game for both teams involved. However, the derby clash between Arsenal and Tottenham is much more than the derby. Football Friends Online tells you why today.

The two north London clubs have failed to win their respective European fixtures this week. Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich, though that's nothing to be ashamed about. Meanwhile Tim Sherwood side saw his side suffer a 1-3 defeat to Portuguese league leaders Benfica in the first leg of the Europa League clash on Thursday evening. 

Arsenal and Tottenham also suffered defeats in their last Premier League fixture. The Emirates club lost 1-0 to Stoke City away from home while their arch rivals suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and as a result both sides will be desperate for a result.

Arsenal are fighting for the Premier League title while Tottenham are aiming to finish the season in top four in order to qualify for the Champions League next season, and a win for either side would go a huge way towards that. 

The Gunners have already registered two wins over Spurs, having beaten them 1-0 and 2-0 in the Premier League and FA Cup. However, both the games were played at the Emirates.

Arsenal are without the services of key midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere, along with long-term absentee Theo Walcott. With injuries to several midfield players, Santi Cazorla is the only creative midfielder left in the squad, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain providing him with some support.

Tottenham, on the other hand, have a good squad and with the tie being played at White Hart Lane, the host are likely to have an advantage over the Gunners.

Should the final outcome not end in a draw, one club and their fans will be left with a lot of pain, which could cost them the title or a place in the top four this season. That is the importance of the north London derby this season.

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