I HAVE to chuckle when I hear them call this the North London Derby where destiny is on the line for both clubs.
Because I can’t help thinking that it’s actually the Destiny OFF which could end up having the biggest impact.
Arsenal can’t afford any slip-ups if they’re going to keep their noses in front of Manchester City and win the Premier League.
And as much as Tottenham would love to throw a spanner in the works by stopping that, there’s plenty at stake for them, too.
Three points is just as vital for Ange Postecoglou’s side if they’re going to nick fourth place off Aston Villa.
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It’s a massive game at the best of times — I know that better than most — and the smallest details can make the biggest difference.
And for Spurs that means how they cope without the injured Destiny Udogie, who might not get the headlines but has been outstanding.
His pace would have been vital against Bukayo Saka, who can destroy you, and Postecoglou’s got a big job on now Udogie’s missing, for sure.
Ben Davies will probably come in at left-back but in my book Spurs have to block off that side, so who plays in front of him is the key.
And it’s got to be someone defensively minded, too, because if they don’t double up on Saka he could run riot.
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While that’s crucial, so is keeping a cool head, because Spurs will be bang up for this and the tackles are going to be flying in.
There will be a few cards flashed around, believe me.
When I was manager, every time we played Arsenal I’d hammer the same message into my team: be careful!
They were different times, of course, with not so many overseas players. But that meant everyone knew the importance, especially the London boys like Ledley King.
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You want your players fired up but I’d always tell them: “I can’t afford to play this lot with ten men, so keep a lid on it.”
That’s something Ange needs to get through to Cristian Romero especially, because it doesn’t take much for the red mist to come down.
He’s got to make sure it’s not followed by a red card.
Mind you, Arsenal can look after themselves too. They’ve got bags of quality but they’re not short of guys who can steam in as well.
Declan Rice has been a great signing, Martin Odegaard is a fantastic player — and I’ve changed my opinion on Kai Havertz.
But for all that, I really can’t see Spurs getting beaten, so assuming they manage to keep Saka in check, I’d have to put my money on a score draw.
And with both sides desperate for three points, that wouldn’t do either of them any favours.
I can see goals, I can see bookings — plenty of them — but I just can’t see a winner.
Harry Redknapp
So I’m sorry lads, as much as I hate to sit on the fence, sometimes it’s the only place to take a pew — and this afternoon is one of those times.
I can see goals, I can see bookings — plenty of them — but I just can’t see a winner.
Which obviously means no one’s going home happy. Apart from City.
They beat Brighton on Thursday without breaking sweat and if they are in the same form at Nottingham Forest after the derby, City will be top by tonight.
A point behind Arsenal, a game in hand and a squad packed with world-class players… I’m not surprised some bookies have already paid out.
And as much as City would love to still be in with a shout of another Treble, the fact that the Champions League is out of the way just makes them an even tougher nut to crack.
Then it will be on to the FA Cup final, where they will be red-hot favourites to beat United again.
