The North London Derby is always one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches on the Premier League calendar with each team trying to claim the bragging rights.
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min are good pals thanks to their time together at Bayer Leverkusen.
The two North London rivals have come up against each other quite a few times over the last few years and both of them have had their fair share of success in that personal battle.
Arsenal came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Tottenham in the 2019 north London derby at Emirates but they had Bernd Leno to thank for Spurs not being out of sight at half-time.
Back in September 2019, when Unai Emery was still at the helm, Arsenal hosted Tottenham in the first North London derby of the season. Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane gave Spurs a 2-0 lead at the Emirates, but Arsenal came back to secure a point thanks to Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goals.
Another player Arsenal fans were in awe of that day was Leno, who pulled off an extraordinary save to deny Son.
Leno and Granit Xhaka rated each other’s saves and goals in a video on Arsenal’s official website yesterday. The German shared what Son told him about his brilliant save after the derby two-and-a-half years ago.
Speaking about that save, Leno said: “I have to say, I played with Son at Leverkusen. I know what he’s doing. As a goalkeeper, sometimes, you’ve to read the situation. I read the situation and then, fingertip save.
Looking at the save again, Xhaka claimed: “If I was the player (Son), I’d be going crazy, man.
Leno responded: “He (Son) went crazy. He said after to me: ‘Come on, stop doing that!’
The North London rivals still have another classic derby showdown this season, as the battle for Champions League Top Four Race continues.