Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info, Ticket News
The most important north London derby in decades is upon us.
Arsenal, devastated by injury and a three-match losing streak, travel to White Hart Lane on Saturday with the singular aim of stopping their eternal rivals ascending to the top of the Premier League.
That is precisely where Tottenham Hotspur will find themselves, for five hours at least, if they are victorious.
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The stakes couldn't be higher in this fixture, but neither side can be full of confidence after both stumbled in midweek.
Spurs, evidently feeling the bite of fatigue, were out-enthused by West Ham United and unable to claw their way back after Michail Antonio's early goal in the 1-0 defeat at Upton Park.
Arsenal did take the lead against Swansea City but let it slip, losing goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender Laurent Koscielny to injury along the way in the 2-1 loss.
Form Lines
Tottenham
West Ham 1-0 Tottenham
Tottenham 2-1 Swansea City
Tottenham 3-0 Fiorentina
Tottenham 0-1 Crystal Palace
Fiorentina 1-1 Tottenham
Arsenal
Arsenal 1-2 Swansea City
Manchester Utd 3-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-2 Barcelona
Arsenal 0-0 Hull City
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester City
Team News
In bright news for Tottenham, head coach Mauricio Pochettino claims Mousa Dembele has a chance of playing in this massive fixture, per Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard.
The Belgium international has missed the last two matches and his absence was particularly notable against West Ham when Spurs were harassed into making uncharacteristic mistakes. The 28-year-old brings a solidity that none of his team-mates provide.
Jan Vertonghen and Clinton Njie remain sidelined, per Dan Kilpatrick of ESPN.
Arsenal will be without Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny after both were injured against Swansea, according to Sky Sports.
Both are vital first-team players, so the Gunners will be considerably below full strength.
Predicted Formations
Spurs
Goalkeeper — Lloris
Defence — Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose
Midfield — Dier,Dembele, Alli, Eriksen, Lamela
Attack — Kane
Arsenal
Goalkeeper — Ospina
Defence — Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal
Midfield — Coquelin, Ramsey, Ozil
Attack — Walcott, Giroud, Sanchez
Players to Watch
The absence of Dele Alli for much of Spurs' defeat at Upton Park was noticeable. The excitement and drive that he provides was sorely lacking.
His restoration to the starting lineup in this potentially season-defining match is perhaps even more important than the potential return of Dembele.
Alli's energy allows him to play in both lines of midfield almost simultaneously. He drops deep to win the ball and then surges forward, creating mismatches and giving Spurs a numerical superiority in forward areas.
The 19-year-old creates chaos wherever he pops up on the pitch, and he makes the game easier for the players around him.
One of this season's finest performers has been Mesut Ozil. It seems long ago now that he was being showered with praise for his phenomenal production of assists and scoring chances, but the German remains Arsenal's key man.
He scored a goal and picked up an assist as one of the only Gunners not to disgrace themselves in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Spurs will need to keep their pressing game at full power to keep him under control.
Key Battle
In the first meeting of these two sides earlier in the season, Spurs were dominant and their aggression forced Arsenal into numerous turnovers.
The Gunners' desperate defending kept Tottenham to just one goal, and they eventually came back into the game and drew 1-1.
Home and away last season, Spurs' pressing game was at its best, and it similarly unsettled Arsenal's build-up.
The key battle in this match will be for midfield supremacy.
Having rotated heavily in midweek, Tottenham should have the upper hand in this area as reinforcements are available.
Arsenal could seek to imitate West Ham's successful tactic of pressuring Spurs' full-backs and forcing them to return to the goalkeeper again and again.
If Dembele is unable to take his place, that tactic could very well force errors from the hosts as it did at Upton Park.
Ultimately, this will be a battle of wills. Whichever side can summon the strength to impose themselves upon the opposition will be victorious and could take that momentum all the way to a league title.
Live Stream, TV Info
UK: BT Sport 1, 12:45 p.m.
USA: NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra, 4:45 a.m. (West Coast)
Odds
Tottenham are the slight favourites to win this match, according to OddsShark. Spurs are 13-10, while Arsenal are around 2-1 outsiders with a draw at 11-5.
Ticket News
For ticket information on all Premier League games visit the official site or go to the ticket page on the home club's official website. Secondary ticket information can be found here.
