In the latest installment of our 50-50 Challenge series, club experts Dan Fitch and James McNicholas face off ahead of Sunday's big Premier League clash when Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal.
Dan is one of ESPN's resident Tottenham experts; he is also a freelance journalist and founder of TottenhamBlog. A regular at White Hart Lane, he writes about Spurs for ESPN and football in general for the Bleacher Report. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DJFitch.
James is one of ESPN's Arsenal experts, a football writer and the man behind Arsenal blog Gunnerblog.com. He started the blog in 2004 and has since contributed to the likes of the BBC, The Observer newspaper and FourFourTwo magazine. You can follow him on Twitter @gunnerblog.
Both writers will address the same topics, so here we go:
DERBY MEMORIES
Dan Fitch: I've grown up with Arsenal having the upper hand in these fixtures. One of the first memories I have of the North London derby is the League Cup semifinal in 1987. Spurs led Arsenal three times over two legs and a replay at White Hart Lane, but they still managed to lose. That taught me to expect nothing more than constant kicks to the teeth from supporting Tottenham.
In the George Graham and early Arsenal Wenger eras, Arsenal were much the stronger side and results were poor from a Tottenham perspective. There was of course the odd glorious moment, such as the 1991 FA Cup semifinal with those goals from Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker, but it says a lot that this result felt like a giant-killing. Traditionally, Spurs and Arsenal were similarly sized clubs, but somehow the boys from N17 managed to get left behind.
Over the past few seasons, things have got more even, as Arsenal declined and Tottenham improved. Spurs have lost only one of their past seven games at home to Arsenal, and even that was a League Cup tie Harry Redknapp did not take seriously. That run began with a 5-1 League Cup semifinal thrashing that Arsenal fans will still declare they did not take seriously themselves. It's true that they didn't put out their strongest side, but they still fielded the likes of William Gallas, Gilberto Silva, Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor. That night remains one of my favourite Spurs moments.
James McNicholas: Arsenal fans are fortunate enough to have experienced several momentous derby days. In each of the past two seasons, the Gunners recorded 5-2 victories over Tottenham. Both were thrilling occasions and proved vital in beating Spurs to a Champions League place.
However, it doesn't get better than winning the Premier League at the home of your rivals. The sight of Thierry Henry planting an inflatable trophy in the centre circle at White Hart Lane will live long in the memory.
In terms of the worst, I have particularly sore memories of Tottenham's 2-1 victory in April 2010. When Danny Rose scores a stunning 30-yard volley, you know it simply isn't going to be your day.
THE RIVALRY
DF: As a Tottenham fan, you are brought up to hate Arsenal and happily do so without examining the reasons why. The Gunners kicked off the rivalry by relocating from South London to Spurs' manor, then somehow weaseled their way into the First Division at Tottenham's expense after World War I despite Spurs having finishing third and Arsenal fifth.
There is absolutely nothing unnatural or silly about these events sparking close on 100 years of dislike. In my lifetime, it's been pretty easy to despise Arsenal because they have been so much better than Spurs. That has changed in recent years, but when it comes down to a battle to finish in the top four, they still manage to always just about pip Tottenham.
It's more the fans than the actual Arsenal team -- who provide regular moments of comedy -- that get under the skin these days. There are a generation that have tasted nothing but success and have an air of entitlement and superiority about them. That's natural, I guess, but the Internet trolls who find the time to contact me on Twitter or post comments on Tottenham's site need to find a purpose for their life. I'm aware that certain Spurs fans do exactly the same, and they too need to consider that humans lead a relatively short life.
JM: The rivalry with Spurs has always been about geographic proximity. However, increasingly, the tension is as much to do with the Premier League table. Arsenal have been in consistent possession of the prize Tottenham crave most: a spot in the top four.
Spurs long for a shift in the balance of power, but Arsenal have enjoyed superiority for almost two decades now. Spurs' remarkable gift for capitulation keeps Arsenal fans entertained throughout the season. On any given weekend, a disappointing Arsenal result can be evened out by a defeat for Tottenham.
FEAR FACTOR
DF: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in great form right now and faces a defence that are in a mess. Santi Cazorla is another who inspires fear, but ultimately I'm more frightened about Tottenham's current propensity for self-implosion than anything that Arsenal particularly offer.
It only takes a goal for the heads to drop, and only time will tell as to how the team will respond to Tim Sherwood's recent comments about their lack of desire.
JM: No Spurs player frightens Arsenal fans more than Emmanuel Adebayor. Not only is he an excellent striker but he also seems to be governed by the immutable law of the ex: he has a persistent habit of scoring against his former clubs. His record against Arsenal is alarmingly good.
With Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs struggling for fitness, Aaron Lennon's pace and trickery could also be a threat on the right wing. Thomas Vermaelen is not a natural left-back, so Arsenal will hope one of their specialists is back to fill the position.
X FACTOR
DF: Adebayor has been Spurs' most important player since Sherwood took over. He currently looks as if he gives a damn, which is a rare and valuable commodity. When he can be bothered, Adebayor is one of the best strikers in the Premier League, as Arsenal fans will no doubt privately acknowledge. He always seems to put a shift in against his former clubs, but let's just hope he keeps his cool and doesn't get into trouble with the referee.
Yet Christian Eriksen is perhaps the key to Spurs' chances of winning this game. Without him, they lack creativity in midfield. He is the only player who can pass incisively and looks to be a lot better value at 12 million pounds than Mesut Ozil at 42 million pounds.
JM: In recent weeks, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been Arsenal's outstanding player. With Theo Walcott sidelined, he seems to sense an opportunity to establish himself in the Arsenal and England squads. His ability to run at players brings a unique dynamic to the team, and he's certain to be a major influence on Sunday.
As ever, Arsenal's centre-back pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will be vital. They're the foundation on which Arsenal's season has been built and will have to be at the top of their game to keep in-form Adebayor quiet.
PREDICTIONS
DF: What I'm really hoping is that Tottenham don't get thrashed, as they have done when facing the other teams in the top four. This thought inspires such fear in me that I can't focus on the fact that Arsenal have a poor recent record at White Hart Lane and are not playing terribly well themselves. If Spurs can finish the game with a draw and embarrassment averted, I will be a very happy man.
JM: Arsenal need to take all three points to resurrect their title challenge. However, this will be no easy task. After their humbling at Stamford Bridge, Spurs will be desperate to bounce back in front of their own fans. Another heavy defeat to a major rival could create a mutinous atmosphere at White Hart Lane. Sherwood has laid down the gauntlet to his players, and I expect them to respond. Spurs might have less recovery time before the match, after their Europa League game, but Arsenal looked exhausted by the end of their Champions League match at the Allianz Arena. With that in mind, I'm going for a score draw: 1-1.