Will it be their fiercest rival to end any last hope of a title
challenge from the Gunners...
I guess the spurs must be really glad to be given this opportunity
to end any hope the gunners may still have for this seasons title
but will they be able to take their chance... or will Arsenal
bounce back to win this encounter...
The Gunner certainly don't have it easy... They have already lost
to Bolton and Fulham in their last 2 games and tomorrow they take
on Tottenham at home in the Premiership. And they got an away match
to FC Porto coming up in the Champs Lge on Wed 12/6 follow by next
Sun at the Bridge to face Chelsea...
Is it times up for the Gunners?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ARSENAL and Tottenham go head-to-head in the 152nd
north London derby and first ever at the Emirates Stadium. Spurs
are targeting a 50th competitive victory over their arch rivals
from this Saturday lunchtime fixture, and are aiming to become the
first visiting club to win at this prestigious venue.
The Gunners return to N5 after a torrid time on the road. A 3-1
defeat at Bolton was followed by a 2-1 reverse to Fulham at Craven
Cottage on Wednesday night. It leaves Arsene Wenger's side
virtually out of the title race, 16 points off the pace, 13 points
short of an automatic Champions League spot and two points shy of
the top four. They've not lost three on the bounce since last
December, and worryingly defeat at Bolton was the first in that
sequence.
The Gunners are unbeaten in 13 Premiership meetings with Spurs, and
in 14 games in all competitions. Both last season's League clashes
were 1-1 draws. Edgar Davids was sent off in a controversial final
derby clash at Highbury in April. Robbie Keane had earlier given
the visitors a deserved lead, and Thierry Henry came off the bench
to equalise.
Thierry HENRY and Robin VAN PERSIE are Arsenal's joint top scorers
with seven goals each. HENRY leads the way for the club in the
Premiership with six goals.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR local horns with their near
neighbours for the 139th time in the League, looking to break the
Gunners' unbeaten home Premiership record, with their first away
win of this top flight campaign. Victory would see them level on
points with their fierce rivals.
Martin Jol's side are coming off last Sunday's 3-1 home win over
Wigan, and are endeavouring to complete back-to-back victories for
the first time in 18 Premiership outings. They are fourth in the
"Last Six Current Form" table with 11 points from the possible 18.
Arsenal have five points from the last six games and are fifth
bottom on that table.
Spurs, who've not lost to London opposition this season (two wins,
one draw), have drawn six and lost seven of the last 13 League
trips to Arsenal. They last claimed maximum points at Highbury on
11 May 1993 when a Teddy Sheringham goal and a brace from John
Hendry contributed to a 1-3 end-of-season victory.
Jermain DEFOE and Dimitar BERBATOV are Tottenham's joint top
scorers with six goals each.
DEFOE is Spurs' leading Premiership marksman with three
goals.
REFEREE
Graham Poll (Tring, Hertfordshire)
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
22 April 2006 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Arsenal scorer: Henry 84
Spurs scorer: Keane 66
Sent Off: Davids (Spurs) 85
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and away
League: Arsenal 56 wins, Spurs 45, Draws 37
Prem: Arsenal 10 wins, Spurs 5, Draws 13
at Arsenal only
League: Arsenal 34 wins, Spurs 17, Draws 18
Prem: Arsenal 7 wins, Spurs 1, Draws 6
