The Premier League returns with a feast of local derbies: Arsenal v Tottenham, Man City v Man Utd - The Warm-Up

FRIDAY'S BIG STORIES Derby Fun Times, #1 Ad We'll say this for the fixture computer, it really does have a sense of occasion. Nearly two whole weeks without Premier League football? No better way to get it all going again than with the first north London derby of the season. Ballon d'OrBallon d’Or predictions: No top 10 for Ronaldo or Morgan3 HOURS AGO Or, if you prefer, first against third.

Off-hand, we can't remember the last time that this fixture was also this important. Early days, of course, but this fixture generally has a «race for fourth» vibe about it. Not «early league leaders» against «still-unbeaten chasers».

And that means that this game isn't just a question of bragging rights, of points and of positions. More than any other game so far this season, tomorrow's fixtures will provide the first definitive answer to the question we're all asking: Are Arsenal and/or Tottenham Actually, Properly Good? The question of Proper Goodness is the most important question facing any team with pretensions to silverware. It is also, on its own terms, a bit of a silly question.

We know Arsenal are good, in the ordinary, boring sense. That's a given. They finished fifth last season.

But we live in an age when six out of 10 is a disappointing review, when three out of five constitutes failure. A team can be good and yet nowhere near Properly Good. A team can be fifth and yet miles from first.

The question is particularly pointed for Arsenal because, honestly, everybody loves a bit of amateur Arsenal psychology. It's the way they swing from finest team the world has ever seen to total clowns, total embarrassments, what the hell are you doing, Granit, often in the space of about 10 seconds. And then there's all the stuff about