Arsenal must prevent Tottenham Hotspur from becoming "real legends" in Wednesday's Premier League North London derby, Gunners legend Ray Parlour has told Sports Mole.
Mikel Arteta's men are aiming to complete their first league double with two clean sheets over Spurs since 2013-14 this week, having prevailed 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in September courtesy of a Gabriel Magalhaes goal.
Victory would also see Arsenal achieve a Premier League North London derby first, as they have never beaten Tottenham in three straight top-flight games since the competition's rebranding, last doing so in 1989.
However, Parlour has warned his former side about the risk of 'overthinking' the derby, which tends to be more extra special for the supporters rather than the players, saying: "It's more for the fans really.
"In my era, the biggest game for me was Manchester United - that was always the big game where if you can get four points, then you've got a chance of maybe challenging for the title.
"But it's all bragging rights. There's a lot of rivalry between both sides, but you just treat it like another game. You don't want to say 'oh, it's a big, big, big game'.
"Sometimes you can overthink games - the pressure builds on you if you're thinking about it too much and you've just got to go out and perform like you do every single week. They know the importance of the game anyway, but don't try and think about it too much."
Parlour: 'Form goes out the window in North London derby'
Arsenal and Spurs come into the blockbuster battle on the back of differing results in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, as Arteta's men suffered two disheartening losses while Ange Postecoglou's outfit boosted their chances of glory on both fronts.
The Gunners are all but out of the EFL Cup after losing 2-0 to Newcastle United at home in the first leg of their semi-final, and their FA Cup run ended prematurely with defeat to Manchester United on penalties in their third-round tie.
In contrast, Tottenham edged out Liverpool 1-0 in their EFL Cup semi first leg, before ending Tamworth's magical FA Cup run with a 3-0 win at the Lamb Ground, albeit only after they were taken to extra time.
However, Parlour believes that Arsenal's unbeaten home record in the 2024-25 Premier League season will have more of a say in the outcome than recent results, adding: "The emotion's very high in the stadium, always is.
"Everybody wants to get one over your North London rivals. And one thing for it is the form goes out the window. The form from both sides, probably Arsenal much better in the Premier League, obviously, but they're very inconsistent Spurs.
"They can on a day turn up and put a good performance in. So that's why it's been an intriguing game. Obviously, Arsenal coming off that defeat against United, they'd be a little bit down, but they've got to bounce back.
"But I'm pleased it's the Emirates, that gives them a better chance because their record at the Emirates this season has been brilliant. Unbeaten at the Emirates [in the Premier League], so it gives them a lot better chance of winning the game."
'Spurs can be real legends if they beat Arsenal'
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While Tottenham might have enjoyed the brighter start to 2025, Postecoglou's men sit 10 places and 16 points worse off than Arsenal in the Premier League table and are mathematically closer to the relegation zone than the top seven at this juncture.
The Lilywhites have already suffered 10 defeats in the current Premier League season - the second-most outside of the relegation zone, only behind Wolverhampton Wanderers' 12 - and it was reported a few weeks ago that the Liverpool EFL Cup semi-final could be key to Postecoglou's future.
Parlour still believes that Arsenal will come into the North London derby has favourites, but he can envisage Tottenham's players being paraded about as "real legends" if they leave the Emirates with a win.
"They'd be big favourites, but I played in games when we were challenging at the top and Spurs were mid-table. We had lots of draws against Spurs, especially away from home. But they know they're in for a game," the 51-year-old added.
"Spurs know, with the pressure that the manager's under and the fan base is getting a little bit tetchy on certain bits and pieces, that they can get a performance, get a result and win. They take the draw probably, Spurs, coming into this game. But if they can somehow get a win, that's suddenly massive belief and confidence going through that club.
"They know how big it is. Probably, it's a bigger game for Arsenal than it is Spurs because Arsenal are still chasing that title and after coming off two defeats, you need to win that game as quick as you can to get you back on track. So, it's a bigger game for Arsenal, but Spurs know they could be real legends if they can beat Arsenal and the bragging rights on Thursday morning going to work."
Parlour reflects on historic 1997-98 title comeback
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Thanks to Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, Arsenal will move to within four points of the Reds with a win in the derby, although Arne Slot's side would still have a game in hand.
However, the Gunners' first Premier League-winning team of 1997-98 - which Parlour was a key part of - were 12 points adrift of Man United at the end of February, before triumphing in 10 straight matches to incredibly dethrone the Red Devils at the top of the table.
Parlour credits that astounding run to Arsenal ignoring how their rivals were getting on and just 'worrying about themselves', and the three-time Premier League winner has implored his former side to follow that example.
"I remember back in 1998, we were 12 points behind Manchester United," he added. "We went on an unbelievable run where we won about 10 in a row. We weren't worrying about other teams. It was just about ourselves and that's what probably put more pressure on Man Utd at the time.
"So, that's what Arsenal have got to do, worry about themselves, try and get three points against Tottenham, do the same on Saturday against Aston Villa."
Parlour was also a member of the 2003-04 Invincibles squad in his final year at Highbury, and the ex-England international detailed how Arsenal can draw inspiration from their predecessors' own disappointments to reignite their Premier League title charge.
Ray Parlour was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting.
Ben Knapton
