London derby

Location: Arsenal Training Centre, London / Emirates Stadium

Event: North London Derby – Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur

4. Pre-Match Intensity

November 19th.

Three days to the derby.

The air at London Colney felt heavier with each passing hour. Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere oscillated between clipped jokes and nervous silence. The younger players stayed quiet. The veterans sharpened.

"You know what they say," Gabriel said, glancing at Saliba. "Win this, and you own London for a month."

"Lose it," Saliba added, "and you hear about it until the next one."

The squad gathered around the digital tactics board. Arteta stood at the front, clicking a remote, frame by frame, showing Tottenham's recent build-up.

"Bissouma presses high. Maddison pulls wide. Son comes central, behind our pivot line," he explained.

He turned toward Tobi.