Former Arsenal & Tottenham men offer their insight & predictions ahead of the NLD

Get involved in the game! Watch this exclusive TAG Heuer panel debate between David Seaman and Tim Sherwood ahead of the North London derby (live from Friday, 3pm) and then take the TAG Heuer Premier League Pressure Test to have the chance to win tickets to see your team live!

David Seaman and Tim Sherwood know a thing or two about North London Derbies and the two former players have been having their say ahead of tomorrow’s huge clash between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Spurs head in to the game as the bookies favourites as they sit four points above the Gunners in the table having finished above their rivals for the first time in 20 years last season.

No doubt this game will go a long way to determining who gets the bragging rights this campaign so Premier League sponsored TAG Heuer have teamed-up with two former Arsenal and Tottenham players to get their expert insight.

Seaman spent 13 years keeping goal at Arsenal between 1990 and 2003 and helped the Gunners to a whole host of honours including three league titles and 4 FA Cups.

Sherwood on the other hand spent four years as a player at White Hart Lane and held several roles at the club before becoming manager in 2013 when he led Tottenham to a sixth-placed finish.

The two men faced off on the pitch several times during their careers but now they’ve locked horns off it as they discuss tomorrow’s NLD as part of the TAG Heuer’s ‘Pressure Test’ derby debate.

As the official timekeeper and watch partner of the Premier League, TAG Heuer will be at the heart of the action this weekend. Football Talk readers have the chance to win tickets to see their team in action by taking the Premier League Pressure Test. Race against the clock to answer ten Premier League questions in the fastest possible time.

Seaman and Sherwood discuss the pressure surrounding big matches, share their favourite Arsenal v Tottenham moments and offer insights ahead of this weekend’s game.

They also provide their predictions for the match and unsurprisingly Seaman goes for a 2-1 Arsenal win while Sherwood backs Spurs to come away with all three points.

You can watch the full ‘Derby Debate’ video on the TAG Heuer website by clicking here, but here are some selected quotes to give you a taste of what was discussed:

On the pre-match pressure and anticipation:

David Seaman:

“As soon as the fixtures come out, for the fans and the players it’s all about “when are we playing Tottenham” , and then in the week before it just starts ramping up and you just want to do it for the fans.”

Tim Sherwood:

“As a player, if you can perform in a North London derby it gives you a bit of a break… as  a Tottenham player, in those days Tottenham weren’t chasing title, so it was about beating Arsenal – if we could beat them fans would have the bragging rights no matter what they won.

On scoring in a North London derby:

Tim Sherwood:

“It was a free kick, David Ginola had run over it and I just whipped it round. I can just remember to this day the roar – like something I’ve never experienced before, the noise, I just wanted to stay there and be there for ever. I just thought I’d arrived, I’d scored in a North London derby.”

On current importance to the season:

Tim Sherwood:

“I think Spurs are heavy favourites. Arsenal are under so much pressure. Even this early in the season they have to win this football match.  It’s not only the result of this game or the three points, it’s the lift it gives you – Spurs have some huge games coming up and a win would give a lift. It’s buzzing at the moment but it won’t be if they lose this.  If Arsenal win this game they will get a bounce going into the rest of the season. If they lose, their best chance of getting into the Champions League will be through the Europa League.”

David Seaman:

“People say the power is shifting, but I say the form is shifting. Power comes through winning trophies. But for Arsenal finishing above Spurs matters massively as it could decide who finishes in the top 4, so it’s a massive game this weekend. Arsenal need to get some consistency and Arsenal seriously need to win this game.”

On the match approach:

Tim Sherwood:

“Neither team will change their approach.

Arsene Wenger doesn’t change his game for anyone, and they’ll both be on the front foot. We’ll see an open game and it may suit the likes of Sanchez in the middle, as there could be space.  If they can get the ball to Sanchez Spurs may have a problem – he’s a world class footballer.

But Tottenham will have Arsenal on the back foot. Arsenal need to play with two strikers… give Tottenham something to think about. Last thing you want to do is let Tottenham’s wing-backs pin you back, because they can just camp out in your half. If Arsenal are brave, it’s a case of who blinks first.”

David Seaman:

“All you can look at is the strikers.  For me Lacazette has to play down the middle. When I watch him he reminds me of Ian Wright. In the box he doesn’t wait, sometimes he doesn’t place it he just hits it and it flies into the goal….he’ll find out within 5 minutes what a north London derby means. Not just with the noise with the fans make but with the tackles flying in and the ferocity of the game.”

Match Predictions:

David Seaman:

“I’m going for a 2-1 Arsenal win but it’s as close as I’ve ever known it”

Tim Sherwood:

“Some games you build up and are disappointed. When you build up a North London derby I don’t think you are ever disappointed.  I’m going of a 2-1 Spurs win.”