Former Tottenham captain Michael Dawson believes that the North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs will be “make or break” for both clubs come the end of the season. The rivals are currently battling it out for Champions League qualification, with everything left to play for.
Antonio Conte has guided his side to fourth in the table currently, level on points with the Gunners but with a superior goal difference and two more games played. As for Mikel Arteta, he has put his side in the driving seat to finish in the qualification places, but with matches against Manchester United, Chelsea and West Ham all to come, it could be a tough run-in.
That’s without mentioning a match that will be crucial to both, the rearranged North London derby. Tensions usually run high between the clubs anyway, but add in the arguments surrounding the first game being postponed due to a number of injuries and one covid case and it could threaten to spill over.
READ MORE: Arsenal youngster included squad vs Crystal Palace after Mikel Arteta decision
While a final date is yet to be confirmed for the rescheduled fixture, it could come right towards the end of the season, with the winner potentially sealing Champions League qualification. The date of the fixture was something that Arteta revealed he is concerned over, saying last month: “Yes [I am concerned about the rescheduling], because I don’t know and it is going to be important.
“It is nothing to do with me, the club has to arrange those conversations. Hopefully [we have a say], I would doubt it but hopefully.”
There remains a big cloud over the head of the two teams who are desperate to know where they will be by the middle of May. They still have a number of fixtures to play before then though, with plenty more twists and turns.
Former Spurs captain Dawson has had his say on the fixture, believing that it could be a make-or-break game. Speaking to William Hill, he said: “You’re thinking how tight is it going to be? It could come down to the North London derby, it really could.
“A bit like the upcoming Manchester City and Liverpool game – will these be the points that make-or-break teams’ seasons? It's a massive game, I really think it is. When you listen to Antonio (Conte) in his press conference after the West Ham game, he spoke about nine cup finals – and he’s right. Spurs probably need to win pretty much every one of them and they will need Arsenal to slip up too, as they’re in a good vein of form.
“There’s Manchester United, West Ham have had an incredible season as well, but are they going now for the Europa League after beating Sevilla? That was probably a good time for Spurs to play West Ham (before the international break) off the back of what they gave in extra time (in the Europa League) on Thursday. But credit to them.”
It remains to be seen exactly how important the fixture will be when it is finally rearranged, but if the race continues as it is then it could be one of the biggest battles in the rivalry for years.
