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- May 20, 2005
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Arsenal Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 NovemberKick-off: 1245 GMT
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 NovemberKick-off: 1245 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 2 and highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
For more on live coverage please visit Geez's Live Media Thread
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2[ar]
North London bragging rights at stake
North London bragging rights are at stake as Arsenal do battle with Tottenham at Emirates Stadium in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.
Any clash between the capital rivals is an eagerly-anticipated occasion for supporters but recent instalments have perhaps taken on extra significance with Spurs now looking to compete on a more level footing.
Tottenham claimed a famous victory over their most fierce foes towards the end of last term to help ensure UEFA Champions League qualification, while Harry Redknapp's squad possesses a strength in depth that makes them genuine challengers for honours this term.
But for all of Spurs' progress it is the Gunners who still have a slight edge, with a 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane in the Carling Cup already this season.
Arsenal have managed to stay in touch with the leading pack in the Premier League despite struggling for consistency, mainly because all the top clubs have been dropping points in recent weeks.
Arsene Wenger's men are just two points adrift of Chelsea and will move to the summit, for a couple of hours at least, with a victory this weekend.
Jack Wilshere is confident he will win his race to be fit after being forced to withdraw from England's squad to face France with a back problem, but Wenger has several other injury worries.
Manuel Almunia (elbow), Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are definitely sidelined, while Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky need to be assessed after picking up knocks on international duty.
Robin van Persie provided Wenger with a boost by coming on for the second half of Holland's 1-0 victory over Turkey and will be looking for more game time following an ankle complaint.
Spurs news
Tottenham returned to form with a 4-2 success against Blackburn last weekend and are currently seventh in the standings.
They have found it difficult to juggle their domestic and European demands but will still be confident of retaining their place in the top four by the end of the campaign.
Tom Huddlestone is facing three months on the sidelines with an ankle injury and joins long-term casualties Michael Dawson (knee), Jonathan Woodgate (groin), Ledley King (groin) Jamie O'Hara (back) in the treatment room.
However, Redknapp has received one fitness boost this week with the news that Jermain Defoe is back in full training following a long lay-off.
Defoe's return will leave Redknapp with a selection dilemma as he has tinkered with his system over the past couple of months, playing Rafael van der Vaart off a lone frontman.
The Dutchman may once again provide support for Peter Crouch or Roman Pavlyuchenko at Emirates Stadium, with Defoe more likely to make his comeback off the substitutes' bench.
Aaron Lennon is expected to be available but Niko Kranjcar is doubtful after picking up a calf problem.
William Gallas is set to face his former club after making the move from Arsenal to Spurs on a free transfer over the summer.
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2[ar]
Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny is available after serving a two-game ban for his red card against Newcastle.
Midfielder Jack Wilshere has been passed fit after recovering from the back problem he picked up at Bolton.
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe returns to the squad after ankle surgery, and could win a place on the bench.
Aaron Lennon may make his comeback from a hamstring problem, but fellow midfielder Niko Kranjcar is doubtful with a calf injury.
Arsenal
Injured: Almunia (elbow), Diaby (ankle), Frimpong (knee), Ramsey (broken leg/fitness), Vermaelen (Achilles)
Tottenham
Doubtful: Kranjcar (calf), Lennon (hamstring)
Injured: Dawson (knee & ankle), Huddlestone & Keane (both ankle), Dos Santos, King & Woodgate (all groin), O'Hara (back)
2[ar]
The Manchester derby may have disappointed but it is hard to imagine a bore draw in the 147th league meeting of these north London rivals. The last six encounters in league and cup have produced a total of 25 goals, including a memorable 4-4 draw at the Emirates two years ago.
Arsenal know a win will take them top of the table for the first time since March, increasing the pressure on Chelsea when they kick-off against Birmingham. Tottenham have not won on Gunners soil since 1993 but they did end a decade-long wait for a league win against Arsene Wenger's men when the sides met in April.
Both sides looks defensively vulnerable. Arsenal remain without Thomas Vermaelen, while injuries to Ledley King and Michael Dawson have robbed Spurs of their first-choice centre-backs. Their continued absence has meant William Gallas has played a key role - he was released by Arsenal this summer after the club claimed his contract demands were "extravagant", but his experience could prove invaluable for the visitors.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp appears to have decided attack is the best form of defence judging by his line-up against Blackburn last weekend, when two orthodox strikers (Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko) were supported by an attack-minded midfield of Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Jermaine Jenas.
While Redknapp will be wary of Arsenal's counter-attacking threat, he could be emboldened by Newcastle's victory at the Emirates a fortnight ago, when the Magpies surprised many by starting with two up front.
Head-to-head
• Arsenal's 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane in April was their first defeat to Tottenham in 21 league games.
• Spurs have won only one Premier League game away to Arsenal, a 3-1 victory in May 1993. The Gunners have taken 29 points from a possible 33 in their last 11 league games against their north London rivals.
• Tottenham have kept one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League matches against Arsenal.
Arsenal
• The Gunners have won five of their last six league games.
• Arsenal have not lost back-to-back home league games for 13 years. The Gunners suffered successive defeats to Liverpool and Blackburn at Highbury in November and December 1997.
• Arsenal's next goal will be their 50th in all competitions this season. Saturday's game will be their 20th match of the campaign.
Tottenham
• Spurs have conceded 15 goals in their last seven league and cup games. They have not kept a Premier League clean sheet since holding Manchester City to a goalless draw on the opening day of the season.
• It is 68 league games since Tottenham last won away to one of the top flight's 'big four' of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. They have drawn 20 games and lost 48 since beating Liverpool 2-1 in August 1993.
• Jermaine Jenas has scored four goals in his last seven appearances against Arsenal in all competitions.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Arsenal
Tottenham
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Simon Long
Fourth official: Andre Marriner
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