The ‘derby’ of Rice and Maddison

A shower of goals blessed Arsenal’s return to the Champions League, an undeniable announcement of the ambition driving them this season. Fueled by an extraordinary atmosphere at the Emirates, the offensive flow of Mikel’s team Artetawith a Gabriel Jesus unstoppable, it should scare Tottenham Hotspur, who visit the Emirates on Sunday in the always hot north London ‘derby’, one of the games of the year.

Because of the anger and historic rivalry between Gunners and Spurs fans, these are matches of the highest intensity, where victory is worth more than three points. This year it will be the ‘derby’ of Declan Rice and James Maddisonthe two English internationals called upon to direct the course of their teams, who are now tied in the standings, are both off to a promising start.

The Gunners’ long-awaited reunion with the Champions League anthem under the lights and special atmosphere of the Emirates Stadium, followed by the singing of the new Champions League anthem Arsenal‘North London Forever’, added extra emotion, sometimes too much for its rivals.

That’s how PSV Eindhoven felt, horrified by the atmosphere’s passion, on a night where the rain didn’t stop to add to the epic victory. In Declan Rice the most expensive signing in the history of the ‘gunner’, in the axis of the team to allow the runs of Odegaard, Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Saka and Trossard, Arsenal wants to dress like a candidate to win the Champions League. And if he is accompanied by the inspiration of his forwards, as on Wednesday, it will be, no doubt.

It is the best time for Arsenal and Tottenham, who are tied on 13 points and at the top of the Premier League standings, to face each other in another bitter rivalry in the North London Derby, which is considered the most important in the English capital for ancient times. It is also one of the clashes that causes the most tension in the stands among North London’s multicultural followers and fans.

For the last 22 years, Arsenal have always been one step ahead of Tottenham. Since the arrival of Arsene Wenger on the Gunner bench, Arsenal is growing in the image of Spurs in the Premier, and its ardent followers even celebrated the day they mathematically left Tottenham, with the baptized St.Totteringham’s Day, which has been very popular since 2010.

Rebuilding after six dark years

In Arsene Wenger, Arsenal has managed to chain two decades of presence in the European elite and that is why its absence in the last six years in the Champions League does not melt at the Emirates, like a long period of shadows. Mikel Arteta The rebuilding has begun and, to understand what Arsenal’s return to the Champions League means, it is enough to enjoy the exciting party atmosphere experienced at the Emirates, with goals that Bukayo Saka, Leandro, Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard which put Arsenal to their biggest victory in their first European game for 13 years. What stands out most about the new Arsenal on the pitch is the character and verticality it gives to all its actions. It also has to do with signing the Declan Rice. The hesitant end of last season, which allowed Manchester City a comeback to retain their Premier title, has moved on. Arteta to ask for reinforcements, and of riceas axis and recovery leader in midfield, along with German Kai Havertz On the attack, they focused on doubling the Gunner’s potential and making him stronger.

Arsenal are on the rise again, but they are not the same team. It is strengthened and made better in its weaknesses, in the greater confidence, in the balance it provides rice, and also in set pieces. It was no surprise to see Arteta’s tactical work in training at London Colney, or that he signed the Spaniard David Rayato compete with Aaron Ramsdale and also look for alternating goalkeepers, as if they were just another field player. Innovation marks Arsenal’s steps to better compete and stop being predictable. He should confirm this against Tottenham, this year without European competitions, who could benefit from not playing three games a week.

So far, the signals emitted by the set of Arteta, who managed just one draw in five games, was impressive. They got back the best Gabriel Jesusafter his injury, and regular substitutes like the Portuguese Fabio Vieira, Nketiah either Leandro Trossardthey take a step forward and have a lot of influence, which comes out in the second part as disgusting.

The Gunners have a better team, but so does Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to the signing of James Maddison –elected the best player of August–, and with the arrival of the Australian coach Ange Postecoglou They have ended the sadness around the unstable ‘Spurs’, who are at their best moment for six years.

This London derby promises intense football, especially as Spurs can take advantage of their rivals’ fatigue. It had been a long time since the forces were equal, though this time there were casualties.

Arsenal lost Martinellione of their attacking strikers, but Tottenham will not be able to rely on the Croatian for the rest of the season Perisic, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, during one of the training sessions. to Tottenham Postecoglouwith four wins and a draw in its first five games, it appears now, no more Harry Kaneas a serious threat to an Arsenal more convinced of being ready to win titles.