Arsenal expecting 'different' challenge from revamped Tottenham in North London Derby

Arsenal have dominated Tottenham Hotspur in recent years, but Mikel Arteta expects things to be different come Sunday when the rivals renew hostilities in the latest edition of the North London Derby.

The Gunners have enjoyed facing off with their fiercest foes recently, winning four of their last five encounters with Spurs while drawing the other one.

Historically it's also been a one-sided rivalry, with the red part of north London claiming more glory in head-to-head matches and also in overall honours across decades of play.

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However, Tottenham head into Sunday's massive clash with the more recent piece of silverware: the Europa League trophy they somehow won despite finishing 17th in the Premier League. Such bragging rights are always appreciated in derbies such as this one, and this season Spurs have lifted the level of their domestic play to match their recent European achievement, claiming 18 points from their first 11 matches to go into the weekend in fifth place.

Of course, Arsenal are the league leaders and have challenged for the Premier League title in each of the previous three seasons, falling agonisingly short each time. And now, with the Gunners looking to fend off a resurgent Manchester City at the top of the table, Tottenham can both help their own ambitions and hurt those of their arch-rivals in one go, something Arteta is all too aware of.

With Spurs suddenly looking competent again, Sunday's derby takes on bigger importance to both teams — but especially to the Gunners.

Arteta believes his team will be up for the challenge.

"It's about bringing everything to the table, that's the context of the game and that's a superpower," he said at Arsenal's pre-match press conference. "When you have everybody playing with that passion and with the emotion within the team in every single ball, it makes a difference and we're very privileged, the way that the supporters have been with us at Emirates Stadium and especially against our rivals and, on Sunday, I'm sure that the team is going to behave and make them very proud.

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Arteta has been part of several North London Derbies since taking of the managerial reins at the Emirates, and he describes it as one of the more unique rivalries he's been a part of.

"It’s just different," Arteta explained. "It's a big city, but it's a big rivalry; it's a part of London that we want to conquer, and they want to do the same. There's been a lot of shifts as well over the years, we've been more dominant, and it's just beautiful, especially when we play at home in front of our people. We know what it means to them and the energy that they're going to bring, the energy that the team is going to bring in every single action and it's just a privilege to play those kind of games, we cannot wait to get to Sunday."

As for what he expects from Spurs when the match kicks off, Arteta said Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has his side playing with a clarity that was not present in recent years.

"I think Thomas has brought something very different to what they had before as well," Arteta said. "And you just have to see it as his record and how remarkable a job he did in his previous club. And he's given a very clear identity to the team, how they want to play, how they want to compete and it will be very tough."

Additionally, Arteta points to Spurs' record away from home in the league this season as a point of pride for Frank's side, with Tottenham recording four wins and a draw in five road matches thus far.

"They've set out to win, they've won in some tough places as well," Arteta said. "Their record away from home has been very impressive as well. So you need to merit that, nobody gives you anything easy in this league."

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