Spurs keen to prove they’re the new kings of the capital
Derby rivals Arsenal unbeaten in 17 games
London – Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur can cement their status as the top dogs in the capital if they end an eight-year wait and defeat Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.
Spurs produced an outstanding display to crush Chelsea 3-1 last week and a repeat performance at The Emirates would make them the leading London challengers to Manchester City and Liverpool in the premier league title race.
Tottenham have lost just once in the last eight league clashes with the Gunners but they have not won at Arsenal since a 3-2 victory in 2010.
Spurs are third on the table, three points ahead of fifthplaced Arsenal, but Unai Emery’s side are unbeaten in their last 17 games in all competitions.
That run includes a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool, a performance which suggested they are making good progress under the Spaniard as they seek to return to the elite status they lost in the final spell of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
“Of course, when you want to win against Tottenham you know you have to play at your top level,” said Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi.
“We did that against Liverpool at home, so we know how to compete. We can compete with everyone. We are looking forward to this game.”
Tottenham beat Inter Milan 1-0 on Wednesday to keep alive their Champions League last16 hopes, setting up what is almost certainly a must-win match in Barcelona next month.
Sunday also features another local derby with Liverpool taking on Everton at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will start as favourites but Everton are coming along nicely under coach Marco Silva.
Chelsea come up against a familiar face as they look to bounce back from their loss to Spurs with former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri now in charge of opponents Fulham.
Fixtures
(5pm unless stated) Tonight: Cardiff v Wolves, 10pm Tomorrow: Huddersfield v Brighton; Newcastle v West Ham; Man City v Bournemouth; Crystal Palace v Burnley; Leicester v Watford; Southampton v Man United, 7.30pm
Sunday: Chelsea v Fulham, 2pm; Arsenal v Tottenham, 4.05pm; Liverpool v Everton, 6.15pm. – Reuters