The end of the Premier League season is soon upon us, as the final weeks of the campaign will determine the sides that achieve their goals for the season. However, one battle that looks set to go down to the wire in the race to finish in the final Champions League position.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will feel as though the momentum is with them at this late stage, but which of the North London giants will get the bragging rights in the 2021-22 season?
North London Derby Critical
It’s likely that the big fixture in the run-in for both sides is the next chapter of the rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The clubs will meet on May 12th, which will be the game before the penultimate round of fixtures. Spurs have home advantage for the second North London derby of the season, and the fixture is likely to be a must-win for both sides.
The overall record between the sides from the previous 33 meetings couldn’t be much closer, with the Gunners holding a slender advantage having won on one more occasion. That victory came earlier in the season, as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe scored in a 3-1 success at the Emirates. However, Spurs are unbeaten in their previous seven home fixtures against the Gunners.
Tottenham’s Run-In
If Tottenham’s dominant home record in the fixture continues, then they will need to pick up victories in each of their final two fixtures to wrap up fourth. That certainly looks like a winnable run-in for Spurs, as they host Burnley on the penultimate weekend, before then traveling to Norwich City on the final day. By that point, it’s highly likely that the Canaries’ relegation back to the Championship would have been confirmed.
However, Tottenham’s big two fixtures come before the visit of Arsenal, as Antonio Conte’s side comes up against Leicester City and Liverpool. The trip to Anfield is particularly daunting given that Jurgen Klopp’s side needs to maintain their relentless charge to keep the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings.
Arsenal’s Run-In
On paper, it would be easy to suggest that the Gunners face the two more difficult fixtures after the North London derby. The Gunners first travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on May 16th. This is by no means an easy fixture, especially since only Manchester City and Liverpool have picked up more Premier League points since the end of January than Newcastle. The Gunners then close their campaign at the Emirates against Everton.
Once again, it will be a testing fixture for Mikel Arteta’sside, as the Toffees will likely be scrapping for points to remain in the Premier League. Before the North London derby, Arsenal traveled to Europa League semi-finalists West Ham United, and the improving Leeds, who are still fighting for points to remain in the Premier League. The battle for the fourth spot will go down to the wire, but it has been an excellent turnaround by Arsenal, who sat bottom of the league standings after the opening fixtures of the new season.
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