Alan Smith: "Given how important it is to be in the Champions League these days for the prestige, your finances and the ability to attract players, it is a huge game"; watch Tottenham vs Arsenal live on Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 7.45pm
Thursday 12 May 2022 19:41, UK
Sky Sports' Alan Smith says 'anything can happen' when Tottenham host Arsenal in a north London derby being billed as one the biggest in recent years.
Fourth-placed Arsenal head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium four points ahead of rivals Spurs, knowing a win would seal them a return to the Champions League.
Spurs, meanwhile, will have other ideas and Antonio Conte knows anything but a win will make their Champions League dreams difficult as they look to overturn the current four-point deficit to the Gunners in the final three games.
Here, former Gunners striker Smith discusses both sides, the managers and who needs Champions League football more as he previews Thursday's massive game...
It's billed as the showdown for fourth place. It's a huge game for both sides.
Given how important it is to be in the Champions League these days for the prestige, your finances and the ability to attract players, it is a huge game, and from Arsenal's perspective a win finishes it all off and seals fourth.
The Gunners have not got as much experience as Tottenham. Will that count on the day? You can never really say. You just do not know which individuals are going to handle the situation better until they get out on that pitch.
It's going to be fascinating to see how things pan out.
You would rather be four points ahead than four points behind, that's for certain.
Arsenal are in the box seat, at the moment, but they are going away from home in front of a noisy, deafening Tottenham crowd, I would imagine.
So, Arsenal will have to handle that situation, but they are playing well enough to do it.
They are not the sort of team that are going to change their tactics and sit deeper to try and defend what they have. I don't think that will suit them at all because they have so many players, going forwards, that can cause Spurs plenty of problems.
Arsenal will play their normal game and see where it takes them.
Like most managers, Mikel Arteta will set his team up to combat the opposition to a certain extent.
Tottenham's ability on the counter, with the likes of Kane, Son and Kulusevski, it's a prime weapon for Antonio Conte so Arsenal will not want to get caught that way.
In the final few days before the game, I am sure they will be talking about it and working on it to make sure they do not overcommit, but that has been a facet for Arsenal under Arteta. When they do lose the ball, they are not normally out of shape.
There was a time where it made them a little bit blunt going forward, but they have managed to tweak it now and they are much more of a threat going forward.
There has very much been an emphasis on team shape, being prepared for when you do lose the ball, not getting caught in possession and being out of position, and therefore not being punished for it.
It's an intriguing battle between the two managers.
Conte's done it all before and he's doing it again at Spurs.
If you look at their defensive record under Conte, it has been excellent. He has got them firing again and the players have clearly bought into what he wants.
Results do that, though. It's very hard work but if you see something at the end of all that hard work you are willing to run through those brick walls for the manager.
At the other end of the spectrum, you have got Arteta, who is just starting out in management really.
He's learning all the time and the experience of the game tomorrow night will be huge for him going forward.
It's kind of the sorcerer against the apprentice to a certain extent and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Spurs are at home so from that point of view, you would have to imagine that's an advantage for them, especially with the home fans behind them.
Conte's side did acquit themselves really well at Liverpool. They did draw and they will be disappointed with that, and given they went ahead, they will be disappointed they did not win the game.
But it will breed confidence that they can perform and perform well against one of the best teams in the league.
Who knows what the result on Thursday night is going to be? Is it going to be a 3-3 and a wild game?
I can't see it being 0-0 but whether it is one of those hard-fought 1-1 draws, it will be interesting to see.
Arsenal would certainly take that now. Tottenham would not, but it's one of those games where anything could happen.
I do not think one club needs it over the other, particularly. Perhaps one manager needs it more.
I think Conte, given the character he is and the experience and the reputation he's got, he would not be happy if they are not in the Champions League next year.
Obviously, there have been one or two noises coming from him, when they have had a poor result, as to whether he wants to stay there long term.
For Arteta, if they are not in the Champions League, they will be in the Europa League. That is still a step forward at this stage for Arsenal.https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12370963/subscribe-to-the-essential-football-podcast?
So, it is different for the two managers.
Both clubs, north London giants, big stadiums and famous histories. They both want to get into that competition. It would mean a lot to both.
On Sunday against Leeds, I think what happened to Arsenal could have happened to any team.
You are 2-0 up, in so much control and up against 10 men and subconsciously, you take your foot off the pedal a little bit. You don't push so hard; you are cruising and you don't have to do anything spectacular.
I do not think that so much is inexperience, but whether their inexperience will play any part at Tottenham is another matter.
However, Arsenal have some good characters in the squad now. They have players who are natural leaders, even though they are young. The boys at the back in Gabriel and Ben White, who I expect to play. Martin Odegaard is possibly a future captain.
At Spurs, they will need to show some maturity, that is for certain.
There could still be a few hiccups along the way, if Arsenal do not win at Spurs. You just do not know what is around the corner.
If they were to lose the game, that would be a big blow, but let's wait and see.
Having finished eighth twice on the trot, to be in this position now going for a Champions League spot is probably above expectations.
As much as they will be delighted with it, they are probably a bit ahead of the curve In terms of progress, but you cannot pick your moments.
The chance is there, and you've got to try to seize the day.
It's huge. It's easy to forget he's already won a trophy, winning the FA Cup in his first year.
To pick up the FA Cup in the manner that they did was not easy at all, so he's got that under his belt and that credit to his name, but the Champions League means so much these days.
There will be a lot of work to do in the summer for Arsenal. There will be a lot of work to do anyway, but if they can get into the Champions League, that should give them a stronger hand in terms of attracting players.
However, they do need to strengthen that squad and strengthen the numbers because it is a small squad and once two or three players get injured, you are dicing a bit with the quality you have to field.
They need to strengthen, but first things first, they have got to try and secure that Champions League spot, and from there we will see what happens.
Watch Tottenham vs Arsenal live on Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 7.45pm
Arsenal have the clear advantage in the top-four race but knowing they can settle for a draw in this spicy encounter might just become a problem. Tottenham have no other option. It's win or bust for them. With so many goals in their team and a manager who usually gets the job done in big games, the case for a home win at 11/10 with Sky Bet is easy to make.
Heung-Min Son rewarded our faith in the goalscorer market at Anfield as he scored his 20th goal of the Premier League season and is just two behind Mohamed Salah now in the Golden Boot race. Son is venturing into much more dangerous areas than in previous seasons as his partnership with Harry Kane continues to blossom. Arsenal have felt the force of Son's goalscoring abilities, conceding three goals to the South Korea forward in the last four Premier League meetings. Son has scored in the last two home wins over the Gunners and the 5/2 for him to repeat the trick is a bet worth following.
Ahead of Thursday's season-defining North London derby, Sky Sports digital football journalist Jack Wilkinson heads to the Tottenham training ground to speak with boss Antonio Conte, before senior football journalist Oliver Yew sits down with former Arsenal striker Alan Smith for the view from the red half of north London.
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