Rafael van der Vaart, a former star of rival club Tottenham, has taken aim at Arsenal's mentality ahead of their crucial North London Derby. He described the current state of Arsenal's team as reminiscent of a youth team, suggesting they lack the mental fortitude necessary to succeed at the highest levels, particularly in pressure situations. The comments come after Arsenal's recent performance in the Premier League, where they managed only draws against lower-ranked teams, undermining their title ambitions.

The Gunners recently drew 2-2 against bottom-placed Wolves after conceding a last-minute equalizer, which raised serious concerns about their ability to maintain composure in tight situations. This result continued a troubling trend for Arsenal, who also only managed a draw against Brentford the previous week, effectively derailing their Premier League title hopes. The recent slip-ups mean that Manchester City could significantly close the gap in the title race, putting added pressure on Mikel Arteta's squad as they prepare for the derby.

As Arsenal faces their fierce rivals Tottenham in a match that could define their season, the team's mental resilience will be tested like never before. With van der Vaart's scathing remarks echoing in the lead-up to the match, many analysts and fans alike are questioning whether Arsenal has the mentality and experience to handle such important games. The results of the North London Derby could pivotally impact both the teams' standings in the league and Arsenal's psychological strength moving forward in the season.