Arsenal vs Tottenham: 5 things we’d like to see

5. Winning the Football Match

How incredibly simplistic and obvious!

As pre-season kicked off in Scotland with one draw and a defeat, the positives were the number of chances being created and the natural improvements in fitness. While not Premier League standard opposition, those signs are what are most important during these fixtures so the results don’t overly matter.

Losing to Chelsea and seeing flaws amid other more encouraging signs – primarily from individual performances – the small matter of losing was anything but positive. Yes, they’re the best side in Europe technically speaking and Tuchel has Chelsea looking frighteningly strong, but it’s still defeat to a rival ahead of facing them on matchday two of the 2021/22 campaign.

Anything other than victory over Tottenham never suffices. This is no different. Following Sunday’s meeting there are four full days of rest before the journey west and with a squad that looks frighteningly similar to last season’s as well as the absence of Thomas Partey, the confidence boost that will come from winning away at Spurs (even if it’s ‘only pre-season’) can’t be understated.

Back-to-back losses against two London sides is just about the worst preparation imaginable ahead of facing another capital outfit.

For their first ever Premier League fixture, the Bees and their crowd will be fired up. Arsenal need a lift from somewhere. Victory would help.