THE SHARPE END: Arsenal look to achieve rare feat of three wins on the spin away to Tottenham but they will miss Martin Odegaard’s creative spark if he is out

It never used to be like this. On north London derby day you could be sure of one thing: the team on their own turf would get something. They wouldn’t lose, that’s for sure, not to them. 

Before January last year, the last time an away side won the derby was in 2014 when Tomas Rosicky scored after 72 seconds at White Hart Lane to seal Arsenal’s first victory there in the league since 2007. 

Yet Mikel Arteta’s side have taken bragging rights on their last two visits. They’ve never won three in a row in the PL era and not since 1988. Will they? Talk about painting the town red… 

Home sides dominate north London derbies 

Only nine PL north London derbies have been won by the away side in the PL era.

Goalless draw hugely unlikely  

At least we know it won’t be goalless. No ground has hosted more PL games without seeing a 0-0 draw than Tottenham’s (101). 

No ground has hosted more Premier League games without seeing a 0-0 draw than Tottenham’s 

Odegaard’s absence could harm Arsenal 

The expected absence of captain Martin Odegaard could heavily affect Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out injured captain Martin Odegaard. Wishful thinking or manifesting on his behalf, perhaps, but with good reason. 

Odegaard is Arsenal’s creative spark, yes, but that’s not where Arteta will miss him most. He is crucial to how Arsenal press high up the pitch. Without him they win less and lose far more. If he is out, as expected, Spurs must take advantage. 

Odegaard’s creativity helps make Arsenal tick 

PS Before this weekend, only Fernandes, Pascal Gross and Kevin De Bruyne made more chances than Odegaard (280).