Arsenal are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in a highly anticipated North London derby on Sunday which will have a huge impact on the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side will need to beat their bitter rivals if they are to keep pace at the top of the Premier League. They are one point ahead of Manchester City, but they have played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side.
Tottenham are also in need of a win to keep themselves alive in the battle for a top-four spot, and there is also the extra motivation for them to win, knowing they could dent Arsenal’s title chances.
Arteta played in North London derbies during his time as Arsenal captain, and has also taken charge of several games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and has now admitted there is more motivation for him to coach his side to victory.
Mikel Arteta explains North London derby motivation for Arsenal
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked if there were any differences between how he prepared for North London derbies as a player compared to as a manager.
“There’s more motivation, if anything, because you know what you can give to people, which is a lot of joy and happiness if we manage to win the game,” he stated.
“When you have the chance to do that and it’s in your hands, you really want to make the most of it to try and make it happen.”
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal record in North London derby games
Arteta appeared in nine North London derbies as an Arsenal player, with seven coming in the Premier League, one in the FA Cup and one in the Carabao Cup.
The Spaniard won five of these encounters, providing one assist for Bacary Sagna’s outstanding header in a 5-2 victory at the Emirates in 2011-12.
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The midfielder captained Arsene Wenger’s side on several of these occasions, and wore the armband as Arsenal won 1-0 at White Hart Lane in 2013-14 courtesy of an early Tomas Rosicky goal, which until last season, was the last time the Gunners had won an away derby in the Premier League.
As manager, Arteta has managed at the Tottenham Hotspur ground on four occasions, losing three times but winning once, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard helping secure an impressive 2-0 win in January 2023.
Arsenal have won all but one of their home North London derbies under Arteta, with a frustrating 2-2 draw earlier this season the only time Spurs have taken a point at the Emirates since his arrival.