The rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur has all that anyone could want: uncomfortably close home grounds, season-defining clashes and a long list of traitors and heroes to play with the emotions of both sets of fans. As a spectacle, the north London derby is as good an advert for as you could get for English football, with high-intensity football on the pitch and an infectiously loud atmosphere in the stands every time the two sides meet. Their clash this weekend in the Premier League should be no different.

Though nothing has been settled this early on in the season, there will still be a lot at stake at the Emirates on Sunday. Fans of both clubs like to claim that they are the true “pride of north London”, but it is only after each derby that this claim can be vindicated. For the last two decades, the pride has been mostly bestowed upon Arsenal. In their last 46 meetings, they have only tasted defeat seven times, and their 19 victories have included two 5-2 humiliations.

Still, every north London derby is a toss-up. As we experienced in March 2014, no matter which club is at home, in form, or in good health, the only guarantee is that the 90 minutes will produce riveting football and noise. It is undeniably the biggest game of the season for both clubs and their fans. It should be for the neutral, too.

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