When Arsenal and Tottenham meet in the Premier League on Sunday, months of contrasting fortunes in the transfer market will be exposed on the field - and the benches.
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When last season ended, the balance of power in north London remained tilted in Arsenal's favour after beating Tottenham to the fourth Champions League spot.
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Then, Arsenal's hierarchy pledged to escalate their "financial firepower" in the offseason transfer window.
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Despite cash reserves of about $190 million, not a penny has been invested in strengthening the squad, which has now been further depleted by injuries. By contrast, Tottenham has already spent $130 million in anticipation of Gareth Bale's impending departure to Real Madrid.
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While Arsenal has opened the league season with a loss and a win, Tottenham has earned a maximum six points. And further additions are prepared to sign on at White Hart Lane before the transfer window closes on Monday.
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At the same time, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must grapple with injury concerns when he sends his team out at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
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Midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta have been joined on the sidelines by forward Lukas Podolski.
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After the German injured his left hamstring during Tuesday's Champions League victory over Fenerbahce, Wenger said he would only be out for three weeks. Further medical examinations have now shown that Podolski will be out until November.
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"It is bad news about Lukas Podolski as he will be out for eight to 10 weeks," Wenger said Thursday. "His hamstring is much more damaged than we thought at the start."
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Restless fans already underwhelmed by the free- transfer signing of striker Yaya Sanogo saw Wenger re-sign 29-year-old former midfielder Mathieu Flamini on Thursday. Flamini has been a free agent since being released by AC Milan.
There is nothing to be exposed anymore because the whole world knows about it already. Arsene Wenger is stingy!