Derby Day continues in London as the action moves north to the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal faces Tottenham Hotspur for first time without Arsene Wenger since 1996.
Both teams are on form coming into this meeting and with the title battle intensifying in next couple of months, victory here will be crucial for either side’s title bid.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal could be without Alexandre Lacazette who missed last two matches with a groin injury.
Rest of senior squad are expected to start after being rested in midweek.
Tottenham have a full squad available although Erik Lamela faces a late fitness test after picking up an injury in midweek against Inter Milan.
Jan Vertonghen meanwhile could make his first start since September after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Form
Arsenal enter this derby on an 18 match unbeaten run across all competitions, but have drawn three of their last four league games.
At home, the Gunners have conceded once in each of last three at the Emirates Stadium and fell behind in their last two home games.
Tottenham are also in strong form, having lost just one of their last eight league games and on the road, have kept three clean sheets in last four away games.
Discipline however is a concern with at least one yellow handed out in all bar one of Tottenham’s eight away match.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in three of last five London derbies (W1, D2, L2)
- At home, Arsenal are on a eight match unbeaten streak since last losing in November 2010 (W5, D3).
- Only the winning side has scored in last three meetings of which two results were 2-0.
- Erik Lamela has scored twice in Tottenham’s last three away league games.
- Arsenal have taken just 19 points out of a possible 84 from their last 28 league games against fellow members of the ‘Big Six’.
Prediction
Under Unai Emery, Arsenal are flying but Tottenham have finally found their feet and will be full of confidence after coming through a tricky week with two wins.
I therefore am backing Spurs to go and end their away losing streak to Arsenal here.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Jake predicts: Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Result: Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur