Appointment in ‘North London’

On a trip with Seven Sisters Roadan avenue passing through the districts of Islington, Hackney and Haringey of ‘North London’, You can see a large area of ​​shops and businesses where the entertainment of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. They form a symbol of the multiculturalism of the English capital, which also characterizes the two clubs in north London. They are bitter rivals, united by a long history of disagreements. They hate each other, but they need each other, and their two hobbies form two of football’s most passionate communities. Their hatred fuels vibrant English football, especially because of one of its keys, the pride of belonging to their clubs, who face each other on Sunday, in Tottenham Stadium.

The emergence of this heated rivalry began more than a hundred years ago, when, due to financial problems, the Arsenal moved from Plumsteadto the southeast of Londonby the river Thamesin the neighborhood of Highburynorth of the capital, to play in a stadium with a larger capacity. The proximity to White Hart Lane the territory of Tottenhamcaused skepticism and a sense of aggression among Spurs fans, which peaked in the 1950s when the Arsenal used its greatest influence federation to hurt the Tottenhamthat has to come down. In fact, the best results of the Gunners are used as a joke by Arsenal fans, who continue to blame some of the team’s successes. Tottenham. One of his favorite songs refers to the spurs drought: ‘Have you seen Tottenham win the league?’ ‘Have you seen the Tottenham win the league?’

The current Tottenham Hotspur He was, however, proud to show. It is now a management model. It was voted the best managed football club in England. Its modern multipurpose stadium is an envy for beauty and commercial exploitation. Its sports facilities Hotspur Waydeveloped with all ecological sustainability criteria, is also a reference. Of those Spurs They are recognized for “a primary focus on sustainability, fan engagement and providing services to local communities.” One of them is the Jew, because of its proximity to the neighborhood of Stamford Hill. Of those Tottenham It has always been considered the ‘Yiddish’ team, and even its owner, the ‘tough’ businessman Daniel Levy He is of Jewish descent. Part of its followers assume that identity, calling themselves the ‘Yid army’, but in recent years the club has preferred to stand out and show its multi-ethnic diversity.

He Tottenham is well modernized and in a healthy financial situation for ‘post-Harry Kane‘, its benchmark for a decade. ‘Dare dream do’ is the motto of the club, which sows unity. Differences appeared only among fans due to the increase in season ticket prices for the new season, and the elimination of concessions for subscribers over 65 years old. The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters He criticized the club “because it pulled the rug from under the retirees after several years of loyal support is also due to the lack of titles.

And to change the lost dynamic, the Greek-Australian arrived last year. Ange Postecoglouwho very quickly knows how to inject ambition. In his second season, the coach is enjoying the confidence of the club, after invigorating it with a bold style of play, although it will not be easy to create a solid foundation at Tottenham, which has a unique fan base. Their main goal is to get a place in the top four, to regain their place among the European elite.

Solanke, the expected goalscorer

The ‘spurs’ made a remarkable step in the signing of Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth), called a reference to its forward line. Although he was unable to make his debut due to injury, they invested 55 million for his 21 goals last season. He is the luxurious exception to a project that thinks about the future. All the rest of the signatories are young people with many projections, with an average age below 20 years: Archie Gray (Leeds United)), the Swedish Lucas Bergvall (Djurgardens) and the French winger Wilson Odobert (Burnley).

The arrival of Solanke This is proof that the Spurs They want to win as soon as possible, but their confrontation with the most noble and attractive Arsenal It came, however, at a time of doubt, after the international break, the long journey of some of its players and the irregular start. It is paid by the casualties where the Arsenal coming to Tottenham Stadium. The damages of Odegaard and Mikel Merino They became a severe blow to Mikel’s plans Arteta. They went with the Italian Calafioriand the absence of Declan Riceafter his dismissal against Brighton, so the Gunners need to adjust their midfield line.

The situation will cause an unexpected headache for Arteta in an important week where they must travel Bergamoto play against him Atalantain champions league, and then face the City of Manchester. It is not known if it was a coincidence or because negative moments always come together, but the Gunners’ sporting difficulties were accompanied by the referee’s decision not to allow them to play in their usual shirt, for being “too white”. So they will wear their second kit, the black one with red and green trim in tribute to the African roots of a sector of their fans, but it will be the first time in 38 years that the Arsenal can’t play red on ‘North London Derby’.