Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal: 5 Reasons I'm Changing My Allegiance to Spurs

Wagers are won, and wagers are lost.

Though not usually one for chance, I entered into a friendly wager with Tottenham featured columnist Sean Babcock prior to the Spurs vs. Arsenal fixture, each of us stating that if our team lost, we would compose a list of reasons why we are switching our allegiance to the other side.

Despite my confidence, I obviously lost. Be aware, though, that I am not actually renouncing my support for the Arsenal in favor of our most hated rivals. Rather, I'm fulfilling my end of the bet, and I will never just conform to the whims of a Spurs supporter. Such is my loyalty to the cause.

They may not be totally enthusiastic or wholehearted, and I assure you, this is as far into enemy territory as I am willing to stray. I am still a Gooner, albeit an honest one. And I would not have taken the challenge if I was not totally confident in Arsenal's ability to win.

At this point though, we should come to expect anything from Arsenal. So, without further ado, here are five reasons why I am (not really) switching my allegiance to the less successful side in North London.

Rafael van der Vaart Has the Best Hands in Football

Usually, it is not legal for outfield players to use their hands or arms in open play during a football match. Rafael van der Vaart, however, might just persuade FIFA to change that annoying rule.

You see, it was the Dutchman who put Arsenal behind for the first time in the derby by skillfully using his left arm to bring down and control the ball before slotting it past Wojciech Szczesny for the goal.

Even more impressive was van der Vaart's ability to escape notice by the referee and his line judges. Though he is normally known for his technique with the ball at his feet, it may just be his skill with his hands that molds him into a more complete player, well worth the £8m that Spurs paid for him.

Or perhaps he could succeed the 40-year-old Brad Friedel as Tottenham's goalkeeper.

Scott Parker Has the Best Hair in Football

Scott Parker is a player I really like. Aside from his workman-like attitude to the game and extremely high work-rate, he takes me back to a different time. A bygone era in which Herbert Chapman was Arsenal manager and jazz was sweeping across America.

More specifically, though, it's Parker's hair that really gives me that sense of nostalgia that few other footballers can provide. With its neatly coiffed appearance and many subtle variations, the follicle output of the player is far more exciting than the actual football that he plays.

While aspiring to be a footballer who plays like Parker is certainly no foul pursuit, striving for hair like that of the Englishman is entirely noble, and one which we mortals may only hope to achieve.

Brad Friedel

I must admit, I have a bit of a soft spot for foreign teams with American players. I'm obviously a passionate enough Arsenal supporter to write about the Gunners on a regular basis, but my affinity for the U.S. men's national team is much greater.

It is why, with their strong American connection, I root for Fulham to succeed despite their meager financial means, and it is also why I wish I could root for an experienced USA international like Friedel.

I suppose, if I must root for the dreaded Spurs, pulling for a fellow American is not a terrible reason to do so. Also, the fact that he is still performing at an EPL level at the age of 40 is impressive by itself.

Spurs' Right Back Isn't in a Wheelchair

You must admit, this is a pretty credible reason. I mean, generally, rooting for the football team that has 11 able-bodied players is a fairly safe choice.

Right now, though, Tottenham admittedly have Arsenal beaten in that most important of departments. With Bacary Sagna's awful ankle break off of a seemingly harmless challenge by Benoit Assou-Ekotto, only non-replacement Carl Jenkinson is left to fill in.

Jenkinson is a healthy male, sure, but the fact that Francis Coquelin is being discussed as an option, despite the fact that his primary position is at defensive midfielder, is telling. For all intents and purposes, Arsenal have no replacement for their right back, and one of their most consistent players.

So, when push comes to shove, it is quite hard to turn down the side with 11 legitimate footballers. Lord knows what incredible "solution" Arsene Wenger will come up with to this issue instead of acquiring someone from outside the club.

They Know What to Do When They Get the Ball

This one isn't quite so backhanded. Spurs only had 38 percent of the ball in a game in which it appeared as though they thoroughly dominated Arsenal for much of the match. Why? Simple:

Tottenham know what to do with the ball when they get it. When Aaron Ramsey gave the ball away (which he so infuriatingly did and with such frequency), Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, or any of the other Tottenham midfielders were ready to pounce and unleash a vicious counterattack on the Arsenal goal.

Were it not for the combination of Wojciech Szczesny's brilliance in goal and Scott Parker's lack of finishing ability (combined with a very poor effort from Bale), the scoreline could have been much more embarrassing for Arsenal.

By contrast, the Gunners had possession more than half of the time, often in long stretches, but could only manage to point their passes sideways or backwards, never consistently threatening Brad Friedel.

If Arsene Wenger could get it through his impenetrable cranium that maybe, perhaps, his philosophy could possibly be misguided and in need of tweaking (see: zero trophies in six years), this struggling Arsenal side could put together a better final product.

But until then, credit to Harry Redknapp and Tottenham for figuring out what their rivals cannot seem to grasp: Getting goals is more important than just getting the ball.