sport news Arsenal are top and Tottenham are third - is this the STRONGEST North London ... trends now
Light the blue touchpaper, it's time for the North London Derby again. But this time there's an extra layer of spice, with both sides at the top end of the table ahead of their highly anticipated clash.
Arsenal are leading the pack going into this one after a fantastic season that has seen them win six games out of seven - their only loss coming at the hands of Manchester United - while Tottenham are third and just a point behind their rivals after a so-far unbeaten campaign.
Mikel Arteta's men have come a long way since they were pipped to a top four spot by Spurs in May, having lost 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a crucial match, before going on to another defeat at Newcastle, a result that sealed their fate of enduring yet another season without Champions League football.
Arsenal and Tottenham's rivalry is at its strongest for nearly 50 years as they meet on Saturday
The Gunners will be hungry to rectify that painful loss and they have the personnel to hit Spurs where it hurts after being galvanised by Arteta this season - and with a new look side of solid signings.
Gabriel Jesus has come in and been an instant hit - netting four goals and providing three assists in his first seven matches. He's linked up well with a revitalised Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka has impressed on the wing.
Arsenal have also strengthened with the signings of Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, midfielder Fabio Vieira - and the returning William Saliba at centre-back feels like a new signing to provide more steel at the back for a previously shaky side.
It's Jesus that will provide the biggest threat to Spurs after his £45m move from Man City as Arteta looks to counter the menace posed by Tottenham's dangerous frontline of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski - and their new signing Richarlison thrown into the mix.
The Gunners will be determined to gain revenge after Spurs beat them 3-0 last time out, pipping them to a top four spot in the process
This season's first clash should be a tasty affair, with Arsenal bolstered by the signing of Gabriel Jesus (L), while Spurs have strengthened with the purchase of Richarlison (R)
Arsenal top the table ahead of the clash, with Tottenham just a point behind in third place
The Brazilian forward - a rival to Jesus in the national team - has been a hit for Spurs since joining from Everton for £60m, scoring two and providing two assists despite being forced to compete for a starting spot, but his fiery personality and reputation as a wind-up merchant could also come into play as well.
He infuriated Nottingham Forest by performing kick-ups during a 2-0 win at the City Ground and that kind of behaviour would certainly spice things up a bit at the Emirates.
Richarlison joins some
