Spurs hunting away win in London derby
A LOT more than local bragging rights will be at stake when Arsenal host Tottenham tomorrow.
The north London rivals renew acquaintance at the Emirates Stadium with both trying to avoid falling further behind rampaging Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Tottenham enter the weekend third on goal difference, eight points behind City, with Arsenal 12 off the pace in sixth place.
“It’s a very important game for us to win because in the table we have to make up ground,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told his pre-match news conference yesterday.
“Tottenham is a good side but we have the quality to win this game.”
Spurs have held the upper hand recently by going unbeaten in the last six matchups.
But though they’ve drawn 1-1 in their past three visits to the Emirates, they’ve won just one of the 11 league games at the stadium since it opened in 2006.
“I can’t recall I’ve won at the Emirates so that’s what we’re going for this weekend,” defender Jan Vertonghen said.
“They are always good games, always positive games, always respect between us, two positive sides who make good games.”
Spurs striker Harry Kane, who has six goals in the last five games against Arsenal, is expected to be ready after missing England’s two recent internationals with a knee problem.
Wenger, meanwhile, said forward Olivier Giroud is a doubt after picking up an injury in France’s win over Wales last week.
Giroud, who has scored once in 10 league appearances this season, netted in France’s friendly win over the Welsh.
“Giroud picked up an injury, I don’t think he will be available,” Wenger told reporters. “It’s short term, we have to assess him on Monday.”
Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck (groin) and defender Shkodran Mustafi (thigh) will undergo late fitness tests.
Wenger said Santi Cazorla’s injury was the worst he had seen with the Spaniard sidelined since last October after suffering multiple infections following surgery on his right heel.
Wenger is hopeful the 32-year-old midfielder will return in January.
In other games, Manchester City look to continue their unbeaten run when they visit Leicester City later tomorrow.
The leaders have won 10 straight in the league, scoring 35 goals, to open a comfortable gap at the top of the table.
Manager Pep Guardiola is awaiting word on Sergio Aguero, the club record scorer who was taken to hospital after becoming dizzy at half-time of Argentina’s game against Nigeria on Tuesday.
Manchester United seek to rebound from a 1-0 loss at Chelsea when they host Newcastle.
“We hope to have a good performance, get the three points and keep showing our strength at Old Trafford, same as we’ve been doing so far,” midfielder Juan Mata wrote on his weekly blog.
“It’s a key factor in order to maintain our position on the top side of the table.”
Fourth-placed Chelsea look to make it four wins on the bounce at West Brom and Liverpool, in fifth, take on Southampton.
West Ham travel to Watford on Sunday in David Moyes’ first game as manager since replacing the fired Slaven Bilic.
The Hammers have allowed in a leaguehigh 23 goals in 11 games to fall into the relegation zone.
“We’ve looked at the goals we’ve conceded and we have got the worst defensive record in the league,” Moyes said.
“We’ve got to try and find a way of stopping that.”
Burnley host Swansea, Huddersfield are at Bournemouth and Crystal Palace play Everton in tomorrow’s other games with Stoke visiting Brighton on Monday.