'I look at them': Aaron Lennon has just predicted who will win the North London derby - Arsenal or Tottenham
09/12/2024 01:15 PM
Arsenal’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London derby is undoubtedly the standout fixture of the upcoming Premier League weekend.
Both teams are coming on the back of underwhelming results before the international break and will look to pip one another with bragging rights at stake on top of three valuable points.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion in their previous league encounter, while Spurs fell to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Ahead of the first North London derby of the season, Aaron Lennon feels his former team have enough to get one over the Gunners amid their midfield concerns.
Aaron Lennon predicts Tottenham to beat Arsenal
With Declan Rice suspended and Martin Odegaard facing a spell on the sidelines owing to an ankle injury he picked up on international duty, Lennon believes Tottenham will smell blood and secure a famous victory at home.
Speaking on talkSPORT alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ally McCoist, Lennon was asked by the latter if the game is difficult to call due to Rice and Odegaard’s absences.
“I think that's fair. That's a huge loss for Arsenal and if I'm in that Spurs dressing room, I'd think it's a great chance.
“Odegaard is the skipper – he sets the press, speeds the tempo and slows the game down. He gets them going.
“Rice has been phenomenal since signing for them. To lose them two, I look at them and I really fancy Spurs. Yeah, I do.”
Tottenham can take advantage of Arsenal’s midfield woes
With Rice and Odegaard set to miss out, there have been suggestions that Ethan Nwaneri could start for Arsenal.
While the teenager is clearly an outstanding talent, Arsenal would be throwing him in the deep end by starting him in a game of such magnitude.
Theo Walcott feels Nwaneri is unlikely to start against Tottenham as he predicted Kai Havertz to drop into midfield to fill in for Odegaard.
Arsenal do have a handful of problems to address before Sunday and Spurs will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting one over their arch-rivals.
