chrissivad
Staff
- May 20, 2005
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Arsenal Vs Tottenham
Barclays Premier League
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Sunday, 26 February
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Sunday, 26 February
For live coverage details please visit Geez's Live Media Thread
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2[ar]
Spurs looking to record rare league double over Gunners
One of the most anticipated Premier League fixtures of the season graces the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday lunchtime as Arsenal and Tottenham do battle with plenty at stake at the Emirates.
The rivalry between the two clubs has seldom been fiercer following a recent shift in power between the North London neighbours.
For so long it was Arsenal who claimed local bragging rights, however for the first time under Arsene Wenger's stewardship, it is the Gunners who find themselves in huge danger of not only finishing beneath Spurs, but also outside the top four.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have assumed the status of genuine title challengers under Harry Redknapp and currently sit in third place just seven points off top spot and 10 ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Focus
With UEFA Champions League football all-but guaranteed for the Spurs faithful next season, their main focus now, it appears, is to keep hold of the man who has been integral to their success - England managerial target Redknapp.
Redknapp takes his side to the Emirates on the back of a nervy 0-0 draw with Stevenage in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but in league terms, in the aftermath of a 5-0 thrashing of Newcastle.
Arsenal were all-but condemned to a sixth successive trophyless season following a 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Sunderland last week - a result which came just days after a humiliating 4-0 first-leg loss at AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners' league form has been more encouraging, though, with the race for fourth place serving as plenty of motivation in recent weeks.
Wenger's men have lost just twice at home in the league this season - Manchester United and Liverpool coming away victorious - and host Tottenham on the back of a 7-1 league hammering of Blackburn in their previous home league fixture.
Team news
Spurs will be hoping attacking duo Rafael van der Vaart and former Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor come through late fitness tests to help their quest for a first Premier League double over Arsenal since 1993.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto underwent minor groin surgery last week, but is expected to play while Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe have also made full recoveries from recent injuries.
Arsenal will be sweating over the fitness of Wales captain Aaron Ramsey, who limped out of the side's 2-0 cup defeat at Sunderland, striker Marouane Chamakh (toe) and central defender Laurent Koscielny (knee).
Fellow defenders Per Mertesacker and Santos remain sidelined with ankle injuries, while Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are also definite absentees.
Mike Dean has been appointed referee for Sunday's match, not a good omen for the Gunners, who have failed to win any of the last 11 league games with the Wirral official in charge.
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2[ar]
Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs face fitness tests on respective knee and groin injuries ahead of Sunday's north London derby.
Defender Carl Jenkinson is the only long-term absentee close to a comeback after recovering from a back problem.
Tottenham forward Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to recover from a knee injury to play against his former club.
Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Benoit Assou-Ekotto should all be fit to return, but Ledley King is a doubt.
Arsenal's decline from the impressively indomitable to the vulnerable vanquished has happened overnight. Tracing a form-line through north London derbies shows that it's been coming.
The 5-1 defeat in the 2008 League Cup semi-final shifted the North London balance of power. Three times in the last five meetings, careless Arsenal have thrown away a two-goal lead. Tottenham have the upper hand now.
After going 20 Premier League meetings unbeaten against Spurs, Arsenal haven't won in the last four. They've conceded as many goals against them in the last five years as they did in the previous decade.
The shambolic defeats in Milan and Sunderland bore the stigma of a team entering the end of an era. Another defeat would bring more protest from those disgruntled fans who are questioning Arsene Wenger. His glorious brand of football is now being perfected by the most attractive team in the country this season - Tottenham.
If Spurs play as well as they did against Newcastle a fortnight ago and Arsenal are as dishevelled at the back as they were at the Stadium of Light, Tottenham will move 13 points ahead of the auld enemy. Spurs are enjoying their longest run in the top three since 1984/85. Bale and Modric are vying for Footballer of the Year. They'll have four scorers in double figures this season.
Arsenal are a one-man team in comparison. Without the points gained by Robin van Persie goals, they'd be three points outside the relegation positions! But while the Dutchman is still flying there is hope and Arsenal will remember how they dominated possession at the Lane in October before losing 2-1. They can still qualify for the Champions League and rescue a traumatic season.
Speculation is increasing over the future of Arsene Wenger. But wouldn't it be just like football to see him still in charge at the start of next season while Tottenham look for a new manager after Harry Redknapp takes the England job, as surely he must. Will Arsenal's day come again?
2[ar]
Head-to-head
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- Tottenham are unbeaten in the last four league meetings between the sides, including a first win in 17 years on Arsenal soil last season.
- Spurs last did the double over Arsenal in 1992-93, when they won 1-0 at home and 3-1 away.
- Arsenal have only won one of their last seven league meetings with their north London rivals.
- This is the 168th meeting between the sides. Arsenal have won 69 times, Tottenham 53 and there have been 45 draws.
- There has been only one goalless draw in their last 32 league and cup encounters.
- Tottenham have fallen two goals behind in all three visits to the Emirates under Harry Redknapp, but have twice recovered to win or draw.
- Arsenal have won back-to-back league games after starting the year with a four-match winless streak.
- They have gained 10 points from losing positions, a feat bettered only by Wolves and Aston Villa.
- However, the Gunners have lost three matches from winning positions - only West Brom had fared worse prior to this weekend's fixtures.
- Robin van Persie has scored 22 league goals this season, including 21 in his last 20 appearances.
- According to Opta Sports, Theo Walcott has found a team-mate with just 14 of his 103 crosses from open play in the league this season.
- Spurs have only won one of their last five away matches in the league, taking five points from a possible 15.
- Harry Redknapp's side are unbeaten in London derbies in the league this season with three wins and a draw from four matches.
- They have mustered fewer headers on target than any other Premier League team this season (6).
- Luka Modric has attempted an unrivalled 1,691 passes or crosses in the league.
- Emmanuel Adebayor will play at Arsenal for the first time in a Tottenham shirt and on his 28th birthday. He scored eight goals in nine games for Arsenal in this derby. Jimmy Robertson is the only player to score for both Spurs and Arsenal in a north London derby.
- Michael Dawson could make his 250th career league start, while Kyle Walker is set for his 100th career league appearance.
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Fuck sake.
ray:
