Date: Sunday, 16 March Venue: White Hart Lane Kick-Off: 16:00
Team News
Younes Kaboul is available for Tottenham after the defender was successful in his appeal following his red card against Chelsea. However, Spurs are without defensive duo Michael Dawson and Kyle Walker who are both struggling with injuries. Arsenal face more injury problems as Mesut Ozil faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Aaron Ramsey suffered a minor setback in his comeback from injury which has seen him out of the side for some time. Kieran Gibbs is also a doubt. The Gunners are boosted by the return of Nacho Monreal and Yaya Sanogo, while January arrival Kim Kallstrom is available for the first time.
Key Stats
Arsenal haven't won at White Hart Lane in five visits, losing the last two matches at the stadium 2-1. However, they have beaten their North London rivals twice this season already. A victory for Tottenham would secure their 50th league win against the Gunners, who will be looking for their first victory at the Lane since Emmanuel Adebayor scored a brace there in 2007. Spurs have only scored 16 times in their 14 home league games this season but Arsenal have conceded 21 goals away from the Emirates, while only keeping one clean sheet in their last seven away games. The Gunners are hoping to avoid their third consecutive away defeat in the league but they have only won two of their last six games, coming into the match on the back of a Champions League exit. Tottenham have conceded 20 goals in just four matches, away to Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea as well as a home clash with City.
The North London derby is always one of the biggest fixtures in the Premier League calendar but today's encounter is overshadowed by a plague of injuries, preventing both sides from playing their best starting eleven. Tottenham need a victory to get back into the running for a top four place, while Arsenal face the possibility of seeing their title hopes disintegrate over the next two weekends. However, victory in this big game may kickstart Arsenal's campaign once more. Spurs have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot which they have demonstrated in their last two games against Chelsea last weekend and Benfica in midweek. Opta stats show Tottenham have made 13 errors leading to goals in the Premier League, with three of them coming last time out against Chelsea. Arsenal were brilliant last weekend against Everton in the FA Cup and they continued with a solid performance to earn a draw at the Allianz Arena, which is no easy feat. However, they are now without Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey and Walcott- arguably their four best players. Both teams are in desperate need of a victory but it's difficult to see either side coming out on top. Prediction 1-1 source - bbc football
Josh has had work featured in the Evening Gazette and on Newcastle United website. He is a Multimedia Journalism student at Teesside University and runs a successful sports blog. He also enjoys films, comics and TV, writing about anything he can. Josh has recently started writing his first of what he hopes will be many books.
