North London Derby: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs - Battle lines are drawn

On Sunday, the Gunners take on the rejuvenated Spurs at the Emirates. It’s a battle for pride and glory for both North London teams. After the loss against Aston Villa 2 weeks ago, Wenger’s Arsenal have easily beaten Fenerbahce and Fulham, and looks in scintillating form. Spurs managed to win their Premier League games, and also had a morale boosting win against Dinamo Tbilisi in midweek, and will be looking forward to continue their good run of form.

The departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid was imminent. Spurs have been far more active than their arch rivals. Daniel Levy, with the help of Franco Baldini, made some really good signings. The likes of Paulinho, Soldado, Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli have joined the revolution.

For Arsenal, on the other hand, the situation is totally different. Funds are available to spend, with Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis making a statement of ambition. Now, only 2 days are left for the deadline day and Wenger has signed two free agents. Yaya Sanogo arrived early in the transfer window while Mathieu Flamini re-signed for the club he left for free to join Milan.

The game will be as exciting as it has always been. 13 of the last 14 league matches between Tottenham and Arsenal have gone over 2.5 goals. There have been 124 goals scored in the Premier League meetings between Arsenal and Tottenham, more than any other fixture. So, we expect goals galore at the Emirates.

The Gunners are yet to sign any player that would improve the team significantly; Wenger will be pleased with the form of Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has scored in both of Arsenal’s league games so far this season and has bagged 3 goals in his last 4 Premier League appearances at the Emirates Stadium. All 13 of Giroud’s Premier League goals have come in London out of which 11 came at the Emirates.

From the Press Conference

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was quoted in the press conference yesterday: “I must confess I am not too much worried about their risk and what they do. The only thing that counts in football is what happens on the pitch. When you see our team play; that is the most important: what happens on the pitch. We have a way to play, we have good players and let’s focus on that.”

In an interview given to Sky Sports, Andre Villas-Boas said: “We have the quality to go there and win. I think we will set up to try to win the game and hopefully achieve the result we want. Hopefully, if we set up properly, the match for sure will be a great game, because both teams want to play, want to win, want to attack, and hopefully it can be a present for the fans.”

Team News

• For Arsenal, Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain are sidelined for a couple of months while Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen are recovering from their injuries.
• Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Aaron Lennon are out while Emmanuel Adebayor is not fully fit for AVB’s team.

Provisional Squads

• Arsenal: Szczesny, Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Rosicky, Walcott, Giroud, Monreal, Jenkinson, Sanogo, Frimpong, Flamini, Gnabry.
• Tottenham: Friedel, Lloris, Archer, Gomes, Walker, Kaboul, Naughton, Dawson, Fryers, Fredericks, Chiriches, Stewart, Rose, Paulinho, Capoue, Townsend, Dembele, Chadli, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Carroll, Dombaxe, Soldado, Defoe, Kane, Coulthirst, Lancaster.

OPTA Facts:

• Tottenham have failed to hold on to a lead on each of their last two trips across north London, losing 5-2 on both occasions.
• A Robin van Persie double in a 3-0 win for Arsenal in October 2009 was the last time either side kept a clean sheet in the north London derby
• Arsenal have failed to score in just one of their last 29 Premier League meetings with Tottenham.
• Spurs have not kept four clean sheets in a row in the Premier League since January 2010.
• There has been a Tottenham player sent off on each of their last two Premier League visits to the Emirates.

Match Appointments

• Referee: Michael Oliver.
• Assistants: S Long, J Collin.
• Fourth Official: J Moss.