TOTTENHAM welcome Arsenal TODAY for the first North London derby of the season.
Jose Mourinho’s Spurs are riding high in the table after a superb start and ground out a decent point at Chelsea last time out.
Harry Kane has a superb record in this fixture – but is fighting to be fitCredit: AFP or licensors
With the ground in a Tier 2 area, they will be welcoming 2,000 fans for this clash against the Gunners who are winless in three Premier League games.
When is Tottenham vs Arsenal?
- This North London derby will be held TODAY – Sunday, December 6.
- Kick-off is at 4.30pm GMT.
- When the sides met here last in July, Spurs ran out 2-1 winners after goals from Son Heung-min and Toby Alderweireld.
Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
You can catch this game live on Sky Sports Premier League, Main Event and Ultra HD as part of the Super Sunday schedule.
Coverage follows the game between Sheffield United and Leicester.
If you’re not a Sky subscriber, you can still tune in by grabbing a NOW TV pass from just £9.99.
Match odds
- Tottenham to win – evens
- Draw – 12/5
- Arsenal victory – 27/10
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
NO CONFIDENCE, NO PROBLEM
When asked about his team suffering with a lack of confidence, Arteta added: “I don’t think it’s about confidence, I don’t think the players don’t have confidence, they know what they need to do to be a more consistent team.”
On Thomas Partey returning to the pitch, Arteta said: “It’s great, we didn’t expect for him to be fit for the game, he’s been training really well, I’m so pleased he’s playing.”
MIKEL SPEAKS
Speaking ahead of the game, Mikel Arteta said: “I think a positive result today will change the mood completely, it’s not just a game, it’s an occasion.
“I’m so priviledged to be part of this beautiful game and we are here to win.
“I hope the way we approach it will change the situation we are in the league- we have the perfect game to do that.”
TEAM NEWS- ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta doesn’t have David Luiz at his disposal, so Rob Holding comes in.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns for the visitors, while the big news is Thomas Partey is in for Ceballos.
Alexandre Lacazette, who scored in midweek, is in for Willock.
TEAM NEWS – SPURS
There are big changes to both side from their Europa League fixtures.
Harry Kane is back in the fold after sitting out Tottenham’s mid-week draw with an unspecified injury.
Toby Alderweireld is fit enough to start, pushing Joe Rodon to the bench, while Gareth Bale warms the bench.
Mourinho replaces Ndombele with Lo Cleso, in fact the Frenchman doesn’t make the squad.
ARSENAL DUGOUT
Runarsson, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Cabellos, Willock, Nketiah
TOTTENHAM BENCH
Hart, Davies, Rodon, Winks, Bale, Lucas, Vinicius
ARSENAL XI
Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Willian, Lacazette, Aubamyang
TOTTENHAM XI
Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Bergwijn, Son, Kane
HASHTAG DERBY DAY
Arsenal have taken a trip down memory lane ahead of this afternoon’s north London derby…
SPURS ARRIVE HOME
Tottenham are in town and Jose looks thrilled….
INJURY WOES
Harry Kane sat out Tottenham’s mid-week draw but is likely to be back in the fold for this afternoon’s north London derby.
Spurs host Arsenal and are currently eight points ahead of their fierce rivals having started this season far more brightly.
But Tottenham’s goalless draw against Chelsea last weekend, and their mid-week Europa League fixture, didn’t exactly provide fans with entertaining football.
Kane and Toby Alderweireld’s inclusion is positive news for Tottenham, there are question marks over Hugo Lloris’s fitness which could mean Joe Hart starts between the sticks.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have their own injury concerns as Thomas Partey has been nursing a thigh injury, while David Luiz suffered a head injury after colliding with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez.
Nicolas Pepe is banned after his headbutting saga while Gabriel Martinelli is still out with a knee injury.
IT’S DERBY DAY!
TOTTENHAM take on Arsenal today in the first North London derby of the season.
And there will be 2,000 fans in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium watching on.
The Gunners go into the game in poor form sitting down in 15th place in the Premier League.
Spurs, on the other hand, can go top above Chelsea with all three points today.
Jose Mourinho said this week about the significance of the derby: “It means more when we are not in the position we are now.
“Because we are in such a good position, it is a little bit different.
“It happened when we played Arsenal in the last part of the season.
“It was just about winning against them to give us something, to have a good feeling.
“But in this moment we also look at the table and we are in a good position, fighting in the top part of the league.
“But of course we never forget there are historical rivalries — and what it means for supporters.”
Gunners boss Arteta has revealed he has watched Spurs: All Or Nothing Amazon documentary for managerial tips from Mourinho.
Arteta said: “There are some important moments in that documentary when you can pick some relevant things of why he is getting the success that he is getting.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
