Arsenal can lose Thursday’s derby and still qualify for UCL but a loss for Spurs will ultimately end their aspiration
By Kehinde Okeowo
Spurs welcome North London rivals Arsenal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night, in what may be pivotal to who earns the last UEFA Champions League (UCL) spot.
With Manchester United and West Ham United effectively out of reckoning, the race for the fourth spot is now between The Lillywhites and The Gunners.
The visitors are in pole position as they currently occupy the 4th position on the log table with 66 points, while their hosts are 4 points adrift of them with 9 points to play for.
Arsenal need 2 wins from their remaining 3 games to return to UCL football after a 7-year absence. But a loss on Thursday does not end their quest, though a win will end the Spurs’ aspiration.
However, The Gunners’ last two games against resurgent Newcastle and 16th placed Everton are believed to be more difficult when put side by side with Spurs’ encounters with relegated Norwich and relegation-threatened Burnley.
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Given the permutation above, a win for Spurs in the derby will put Arsenal under intense pressure, as it would mean they must win their last two games to qualify for UCL.
The consequential match has generated debates among English Premier League (EPL) supporters around the globe and the passionate Nigerian supporters are not left out.
TheNiche went out to feel the pulse of followers of English football in Nigeria, as to who they think will win the crucial Thursday North London derby.
An Accountant, Bamidele Owolabi, who claimed to be a lifelong supporter of Arsenal predicted a draw. According to him, both teams will approach the game cautiously to avoid defeat.
He said, “I believe the match will end in a draw.
“The two teams will be very careful not to lose the match, Arsenal in particular. But Spurs will push more and Arsenal will hold them.’
A Man United fan who is an ICT expert, Olawale Cadmus agreed that it will be a Cagey affair but said the form of the two sides on the night, will determine the winner.
According to him, if Spurs play as well as they did in their 1-1 draw against Liverpool, Arsenal will find the game difficult but if they are below par, the visitor might get an easy match.
“If Spurs take the form against Liverpool into the match, I see a Spurs win. If they take the form against Brighton into the match, it could be an Arsenal massacre.
“Arsenal technically needs a draw I think, so there shouldn’t be that much pressure on them except if they put one on themselves. By and large, I expect a cagey game.” Olawale concluded.
Bolanle Ogunlusi Somorin, another Arsenal supporter who is a Businesswoman, also foresees a tight match too but anticipates an outright win or draw for her team.
“Arsenal will win .. or a draw, given our recent form,” she said.
But another EPL fan, Knowsa Naj who is a lawyer, thinks it will be a 3-2 win to Spurs, but added that it will be a tight encounter.
Describing both teams as counter attacking sides, Knowsa reached her conclusion based on issues such as the current form of two London clubs, how prolific their attacks are, and their ability to defend.
Knowsa said, “The North-London Derby will be a tightly contested affair between two teams who fare better when they play on the counter. Arsenal have a bit of breathing space but Spurs know they must win to have any hope of finishing in the top 4.
“Arsenal haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven Premier League matches.
“Spurs are unbeaten in seven home Premier League games against their North London rivals.
“Arsenal are coming into the Derby with better form after 4 wins on the bounce but Thomas Partey will be a huge miss at the center of the park.
“Harry Kane hasn’t scored in back-to-back derbies. He will score on Thursday. Spurs to win 3-2”
Thursday’s North-London derby is arguably the most important in a decade, given the rivalry between the two clubs and the added UCL impetus.
Spurs will be hoping to win and put pressure on Arsenal, while the visitors will be dreaming of inflicting a defeat that will ultimately end their arch-rival’s aspiration.
