LET’S hear it for the North London Derby, a local dust-up that completely gets it.

Down the years, not only has this fixture conjured up tons of high-drama for the fan-bases involved, as well as moments each will treasure always, but for neutrals it has become the most engrossing of games of this type, so often giving generously.

There has been top four shoot-outs and ridiculous scorelines, some of which have involved ridiculous comebacks. We have witnessed goals that defied physics, from looping volleys to swerving howitzers, to Thierry Henry being Thierry Henry amplified.

Every fifth or sixth game has been a stonewall classic, a ratio unsurpassed in the derby fraternity.

When presenters or pundits get hyperbolic about the Premier League they routinely namecheck rivalries elsewhere. But all of the chaos, theatre, pathos and feverish fantasia that makes the top-flight utterly unmissable at its best can be found right here.

Arsenal have scored six of their nine goals in 2023/24 after the break. Go for the hosts to win the second-half and over 1.5 second-half goals at 11/5

How odd then that for many years a draw was always fancied, what with Arsenal vs Spurs having a high number of them in its back-catalogue. Thankfully, this has changed in recent times, with the last seven meetings producing an outright winner and what most stands out now when assessing the head-to-heads is that Tottenham haven’t won at the Emirates since 2010.

There’s been a couple of thumpings in there too.

In addition to this, goals and lots of them have been a constant theme. In the 56 meetings across all competitions going right back to 2000 this fixture has showcased 3.2 per 90. Only one of those 56 clashes resulted in a goalless affair.

Over 3.5 goals this Sunday offers up 13/10

Discipline has consistently been poor also, an element that should never be downplayed when it comes to a game’s box-office appeal. The last 10 North London Derbies have seen 50 bookings dished out, and five dismissals.

Focusing on the bristly side of this fixture leads us primarily to Spurs, because for all of the many positives that have quickly emerged since Ange Postecoglou’s arrival – namely their best league start for 58 years – no team have been booked more (17) at this early juncture.

Will they be able to keep their composure therefore, amidst the fiery environs of the Emirates, as Saka and Trossard torment down the flanks, and Odegaard finds those pockets that he loves to inhabit? Six second-half cautions against Sheffield United when frustration was piqued suggests not.

A sending off every other game in this fixture, dating back to 2018, means 17/5 for a red card to be shown is a must

That though amounts to a minor quibble, a sliver of gristle on the steak being served up by the amiable Aussie in comparison to the generic meat and potatoes of recent seasons.

Unbeaten in five, the manner in which Spurs have swiftly transformed themselves into an adventurous, attacking collective has been mightily impressive. High-turnovers have almost doubled from last term. Passes into the opposition box have doubled, mainly due to James Maddison who has executed most of them.

Spurs are to date the only team this season to reach treble figures for shots undertaken – 22% more than Arsenal – and as so often happens when a bunch of tickets are proverbially bought, the goals have been flying in.

From Postecoglou’s opening quintet of league games, Spurs have scored 2+ times in each and if this sounds praiseworthy, but not overly special, consider this. Only four other managers in the Premier League have previously done this.

Over 4.5 shots on target for Spurs is a shout at 19/20

Indeed, so revelationary has been Tottenham’s form that Harry Kane has barely been mentioned in dispatches but that may change this weekend, as fans recall how he routinely excelled at Arsenal’s expense. His absence is also pertinent because had he stayed, all three Englishmen with 40+ goals and assists these past couple of years would have been on the same pitch together.

As it is, James Maddison will scheme and delight, August’s Premier League Player of the Month for very good reason. Since the start of 2021/22, the difference-maker has scored 24 times and assisted 19.

While on the other side, Bukayo Saka will be a constant thorn down Tottenham’s left.

Averaging three key passes per game this term, it is perhaps relevant that of the 16 goals he’s converted this season and last, 12 have come at the Emirates. The England international has scored or assisted in each of the Gunners three home games so far.

The 22-year-old winger is 9/5 to score anytime this weekend

Saka aside, there is of course an abundance of other positives to highlight from Arsenal’s perspective but of particular interest is their sustained success from corners.

While the near-eternity it took made headlines, Arsenal’s decider at Goodison last week was their 16^th since the start of last season scored from a corner and maybe that’s somewhat inevitable given how many they win. Already this term, they’re averaging 9.4 per game.

Over 6.5 corners for the hosts tempts at 6/5