Arsenal and Tottenham Season Prediction.

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Arsenal and Tottenham faced off in the North London derby match, where Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over their rivals.

Stefan Vasilev, the Arsenal co-community leader, and Willie Gannon, the Tottenham community leader tell their predictions about how the season could go for both teams.

1) There was big talk about the needs of Arsenal for a holding midfielder. With eight games in hand, do you think that problem has been solved, or further measures are needed in the January transfer window?

Willie: I wouldn't neccessarily think that Arsenal need a holding midfielder, to me a midfielder should be able to do everything anyway. Song has been good this year without really standing out, while I expect Denilson to be a big big player for Arsenal in the coming years, Nasri is on his way back, but I do fear for Rosicky over a 50 game season, and Diaby is a decent replacement for any of the named while I can never see him being a definite name on the team sheet.

If I was to look for a midfielder, it would be one to compliment Fabregas. Song does it to a degree but you could always get better. But I don't see Wenger buying a midfielder unless Cesc picks up a really bad injury. Part of his philosophy is built on giving younger players a game, and if he replaced Song or Diaby now it would contradict his last 13 years of management.

You can never have enough good players, but I don't see Wenger going all out to add to midfield, especially when I would consider it Arsenal's strongest department.

Stefan: I think after two-three years, the young and “inexperienced” players at Arsenal have matured quite a lot. And that is one of the main reasons that I think the Arsenal team is a lot more balanced than in the previous years.

Alex Song has been able to fit quite well at the holding midfielder position and he’s been at the club for four years now. With his development continuing at a very good rate, I see the holding midfielder position filled adequately at the moment. With nine games played, it is quite obvious, also, that Vermaelen is adept to play there as well, although, his best position would be at the centre of defense due to his good positioning—a quality which a defensive midfielder needs—and his jumping ability.

But he is also not afraid of physical challenges which is also an ability important for playing aspect of a holding midfielder. Add to that Denilson’s ability to provide adequate cover for this position and you will understand why Arsenal does not really need to buy a DM in January.

Do you think Tottenham still has a chance in qualifying to the Champions League this season?

Willie: Plain and simple, no. Spurs have come on great strides in Harry's 12 months in charge, but they haven't come that far. There is a huge gap between the top 4 and the rest of the Premiership.

Spurs have closed that gap a bit, but not enough. The fact that they've conceded nine goals against United, Chelsea, and Arsenal show the gap is there. Where Spurs have improved is in beating the lesser teams of the EPL. They now have a team and a squad that can expose almost every other team in the league, and if a top four team have an off day they can beat them, ala Liverpool.

I said fifth or sixth at the start of the season and I haven't seen anything to change my mind.

Actually, the only thing that will get Spurs into the top four is if Liverpool and Manchester City implode. And so far Liverpool and Rafa are doing their level best to give the game away...

Stefan: They are currently fourth and it’s still too early in the season, so—yes—they can qualify.

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