Alan Smith: Title-chasing Arsenal will win north London derby | OneFootball

Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith believes his old side will beat Tottenham in Saturday’s massive north London derby.

Arsenal are currently a point ahead of second-placed Manchester City, although the reigning champions do have a game in hand.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked down and out in the title race following a damaging home defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month, but back-to-back wins against Wolves and their thrashing of Chelsea means the pressure is back on City.

Spurs meanwhile have had 15 days off since that 4-0 humbling at Newcastle, and in that time Aston Villa have taken initiative in the race for top four. Unai Emery’s side are currently six points clear of Spurs, although Ange Postecoglou’s side do have two games in hand.

The stakes for a north London derby have arguably never been higher. A win for Arsenal would surely end Spurs’ chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League whereas a win for Postecoglou’s side could similarly end Arsenal’s chances of a first Premier League title since 2004.

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Smith- who won five major trophies during his time with Arsenal and scored 115 goals for the club- says the north London derby is often a tricky fixture to predict, but if Arsenal can replicate the form they have displayed in their last two games, it will be difficult for Spurs to match that.

In an interview with Crypto Casino, Smith said: “It’s always difficult to predict these games, but Arsenal are in a great place, whereas Spurs have been up and down,” he explained. “You would imagine if Arsenal can find anything like the form they found against Chelsea on Tuesday – the way they moved the ball so crisply and with intent – I think it will be hard for Spurs to match that and to prevent Arsenal from creating chances.

“I see an away win – 2-0 perhaps – but it’s a derby so it’s difficult to predict. It’ll be a great atmosphere there and Spurs will need to lift their game in order to compete, so we’ll see what happens.”

Smith was also asked about the recent form of Kai Havertz. The forward bagged a brace against his former club Chelsea during the week and Smith praised Mikel Arteta’s role in the German’s development this season.

“I think Kai Havertz knows more about what’s expected from him at Arsenal than he did at Chelsea,” he said.

“Mikel Arteta makes the players know what their role is in the squad and Havertz is now having a good run in the side. There were times at Chelsea when he was in and out of the squad a little bit, but he’s been in the Arsenal team a lot recently, whether in midfield or up top.

“That consistency is really good for his fitness and sharpness, and it allows him to get to a high level – not to mention doing wonders for his confidence. Again, Arteta deserves great credit for that – in the face of a lot of criticism, he’s stuck with his player and believed in his ability, and he’s reaping the rewards now.”