More trouble awaits Arteta at Tottenham

The north London derby. London derbies come in all sizes but none stands out like Tottenham versus Arsenal. When mathematically Tottenham cannot finish above Arsenal on the league table in any season, Arsenal fans call it Totteringham's Day.

The Gunners have not celebrated a Totteringham's day for four consecutive seasons now. The last time they finished above Spurs was in the 2015-16 season.

It's been their living hell. Spurs fans have a ‘public holiday' called St. Hotspur day every 14 April, the day they beat Arsenal 3-1 to win the 1991 FA Cup semi-final.

Spurs achievement for the last four seasons which they celebrated as though they won the championship itself was finishing two places above Arsenal last season, one place above Arsenal in the 2018-19 season, three places above Arsenal in the 2017-18 season, and three places above Arsenal in the 2016-17 season. They host Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium tomorrow, sitting joint top of the league after 10 games, 13 points above Arsenal in 14th position.

Jose Mourinho's first test of the London derby was in July last season and he won 2-1. He will not need further motivation to ensure that Arsenal do not use this match as a springboard to save a season which by all accounts has been disastrous, even with just less than one-third of the season gone.

Arsenal have been the more successful in history with 13 league titles compared to Spurs two but what's in the trophy cabinet has proved irrelevant to both sides' fortunes over the last five seasons. Spurs have been the better team by far, even when the start of last season seemed disastrous. During this period, the Spurs have played in the Champions League three times where Arsenal have played in the lesser Europa League in four consecutive seasons. If Arsenal's failure to win a league title in 16 years is not proof enough of the fallen giant, then their failure to finish above Spurs in any of the last four seasons is.

Unlike Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, or Chelsea who have other parameters to consider when determining their season, Arsenal have one definitive one; Spurs. The raucous fans' voices that were heard in London when Sol Campbell, William Gallas, and Emmanuel Adebayor switched sides, could easily have turned into a revolt off the pitch and they never let their feelings go unnoticed during this fixture in the seasons that followed. The loathing between the two sets of fans at times threatened to break into full-blown battle in the stands.

Mikel Arteta, who played and captained Arsenal between 2011-16 understands what this weekend's derby means. It's more than any he featured in as a player. A win will not only reduce the points gap with Spurs to five, but it would also pull Arsenal out of the danger zone and work as a springboard for recovery in a season which has proved to be Arsenal's worst start since their last title. Coming up against a resurgent Spurs whose Mourinho is now entertaining thoughts of challenging for the championship; a position Spurs have not been in since their last attempt four seasons ago is a towering prospect but which, if overcome, can prove to be the Spaniard's biggest inspiration for the rest of the season.

Arsenal might be encouraged that their last encounter with a big team away from home, was against United whom they beat 1-0 at the beginning of last month. But defeats to  Aston Villa and Wolves at home since and a dour draw against Leeds away have taken any confidence that had come from the United win.

The shocking goals return of just two goals by their prolific captain Pierre Aubameyang is not only worrying but inexplicable. The dramatic dip in form, coming in a season after the Gabonese international was offered a new contract following his stupendous form last season is mind-boggling. His first striking partner Alexander Lacazette, with just three goals and never likely to improve after three seasons of flop, can't even get in the starting line up often enough.

For a team that built its wonder on the strength of it's attacking football under the best years of Arsene Wenger, 10 goals in 10 games is a catastrophe. They will be playing in Mourinho's hands; the master of defense. Having the best defense so far, with just nine goals conceded and at home will give Spurs a head start psychologically. It helps as well that Spurs are the second-highest scorers behind Liverpool and Leicester City. If the form book is anything to go by, Arteta will not be smiling anytime soon, it seems. It's the derby he must win.