Arteta looking for the edge in big derby clash
Mikel Arteta will be looking to channel memorable nor th London derby victories as a player to win his first game against Tottenham as Arsenal manager.
The Spaniard has lost his previous two games against Spurs since taking charge at the Emirates in December 2019.
Both have been played across north London at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Arsenal play host to their neighbours this time around.
Arteta competed in nine derby clashes against Spurs during his five-year stint in the Arsenal midfield – losing only twice.
He recalled some of his favourite experiences from the fixture, selecting a 5-2 comeback win in February 2012 as his highlight.
“I played in some magnificent derbies because we won some beautiful games against them,” he said.
“The most impor tant one was probably at the Emirates when we made a huge comeback after going down.
“I remember the atmosphere that day was rocking, and just feeling that the fans were so happy was emotional.”
Arteta admits it was painful to lose his two first meetings with Spurs as a boss, but is keen to change that this time out.
Asked if it hurts to have been defeated in both derbies to date, the 38- year- old replied: “Yes. We have played twice, they have been really tight games decided by some small details, but hopefully we can change that on Sunday.”
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho said he now has full trust in his entire squad.
Mourinho made seven changes to his side for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb in order to give the likes of Gareth Bale, Sergio Reguilon, Pierre- Emile Hojbjerg and Toby Alderweireld a rest.
“The reason why we changed seven players from the last match was because I trust all the guys,” he said.
“The last time I did this, we lost against Antwerp and everybody was killing me. And rightly so, because I made these decisions, but in that match I felt a little let down by attitude and it was a moment where not everybody was working well and hard and trying to play.
“I change seven in a very important match and I did it because of trust. I didn’t change 11 because I didn’t want to give the team a feeling of I’m gambling, as I could have.”
BAYERN MUNICH extended their lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 victory at WERDER BREMEN.
The win was aided by Robert Lewandowski’s 268th goal in the Bundesliga.
His relatively-easy tap-in means only Gerd Muller has scored more goals in Germany’s top flight.
Leon Goretzka’s header and a closerange Serge Gnabry effort had earlier put the champions in command of the encounter.
A late consolation goal for the hosts came from Niclas Fullkrug, and they remain 12th in the table.
Second-placed RB LEIPZIG could cut Bayern’s lead at the top of the table to two points if they win their game in hand against EINTRACHT FRANKFURT this afternoon.
It was a day to forget for Shkodran Mustafi and bottom club SCHALKE as they went down 5-0 at third-placed WOLFSBURG.
His own-goal gave Wolfsburg a first-half lead when an inviting cross from the right was met by the head of the former Arsenal defender, with the ball inadvertently ending up in his own net.
Top scorer Wout Weghorst doubled
Wolfsburg’s lead six minutes after the interval, then Mustafi lost possession in front of his goal and Ridle Baku finished very smartly.
It was 4-0 soon after as Josip Brekalo slotted home from close after a sublime Weghorst assist.
Substitute Maximilian Philipp hit a fifth on 79 minutes.
Shalke are currently eleven points behind Mainz, who are in the relegation play-off spot.
■ It took a time-added winner for REAL MADRID to beat ELCHE and sit five points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Dani Calvo’s header in off the bar from a corner to give the visitors the lead just after the hour mark.
Real levelled 12 minutes later when substitute and veteran Luka Modric delivered a peach of a cross on to the head of Karim Benzema to nod into the net.
The hosts winning goal came in the first minute of time-added when Benzema played a one-two with Casemiro before striking a wonderful angled shot from the edge of the area which beat the reach of Edgar Badia.
Atletico were playing later in the evening at Getafe.