Spurs V Arsenal Who Had Most to Lose

Categories: Football | Published by: Paul

07/03/2016

Updated: 01/12/2022

spurs v arsenal Spurs against Arsenal is the biggest of all the London derbies, and in the 2015-16 season the clash at White Hart Lane had greater significance than usual. Indeed, with both sides having a realistic chance of winning the Premier League title some were saying that it was the biggest North London derby ever.

Arsenal have been in with a chance of winning the title in early March often enough in the past decade, but for Spurs it's new territory. Tottenham have never won the Premier League, and the last time they were champions of England was way back in the 1960-61 season, when they completed the first Double of the 20th Century as well.

Of the two managers, Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino, Wenger has more to lose from a Spurs defeat and any subsequent title success from the Gunners' North London rivals. For Pochettino, it would have to be a terrible run of form in the closing stages of the season for his young side's efforts to be deemed anything other than a fine achievement. Along with Leicester City, Spurs have shaken up the Premier League pecking order, with traditional title contenders Chelsea and Manchester United way behind them. While Arsenal and Manchester City haven't been consistent enough to be confident that they will finish above either Leicester or Spurs by the end of the season.

Positives for Arsenal this season have been the performances of goalkeeper Petr Cech and the emergence of forward Joel Campbell. But injuries have again blighted Arsenal's season, with key players of the Gunners' squad being injured for long periods. Arsenal have also, in recent games, showed similar frailties to previous seasons by underperforming in games at the business end of the Premier League season. Taking no points recently against an inexperienced Manchester United and a struggling Swansea City could prove to be costly to the North London giants title hopes.

Spurs continue to progress under Pochettino, and England will benefit with the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli arguably the two most important players in the Tottenham side right now. Tottenham seem more solid defensively than Arsenal also, and the team from White Hart Lane have shown they have mental strength under Pochettino by often coming from behind to pick up points. Spurs have had many big names playing for them since the late 1970s, including Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne, Ossie Ardiles and Gary Lineker. But Tottenham's great attacking ability was often hampered by their defence – until now.

With the bookies, Spurs were favourites to win (11/2 with the majority of bookmakers). While, unsurprisingly, a red card being awarded during the game was 7/2 with BetVictor. Dele Alli at 8/1 was a good option regarding the game's first goalscorer.