For Arsenal, the preparation could hardly be worse. Arsene Wenger described his side's disintegration in Milan last week as "shocking" and, although he felt Saturday's FA Cup exit to Sunderland was "unlucky", it is now clear that his team will go another season without silverware.

Wenger is now attempting to assuage supporters' fears by telling them that "the first trophy is to finish in the top four". They are at least on course for that particular goal, going into the weekend in fourth position, but the consequences of defeat to their fiercest rivals on Sunday may have greater consequences than the mere loss of pride. Should Chelsea and Newcastle win their respective games at home to Bolton and Wolves on Saturday, Arsenal could finish the weekend in sixth.

"It means more to Arsenal than us," Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe said when asked about the derby during the week, and it is difficult to disagree. Spurs were themselves viewed as a potential crisis club in August after beginning the Premier League season with successive heavy defeats to the Manchester clubs, but their recovery has been sufficiently impressive to leave them comfortably ensconced in third, ten points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Even a 0-0 draw at Stevenage in the FA Cup was of little concern for Spurs, with Harry Redknapp - in stark contrast to Wenger and Andre Villas-Boas - in jovial mood as he took questions after the game at The Lamex Stadium.

Former Gunners full-back Lee Dixon has told BBC Sport: "This is the most important derby in Arsene Wenger's 16 years as Arsenal manager. It comes at a very poignant time in the club's history." His former team-mate Emmanuel Petit is more stark: "Spurs are a better team than Arsenal. In the last two years, they have signed so many good players and big characters that this team seems far more competitive than Arsenal."

Dixon points to a "gradual shift of power over the last few seasons", and Redknapp goes into the game holding a slight advantage over his opposite number. Since his arrival at White Hart Lane in October 2008, Spurs have won three, drawn three and lost two of their North London derbies. In the league, Spurs have taken ten points out of a possible 12 from the teams' last four meetings.

Arsenal still have injury problems - Jack Wilshere, Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos are certainly out, while several others face fitness tests - but Spurs are hopeful that Emmanuel Adebayor, Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric will all be available. William Gallas, though, will not face his former club.

Arsenal player to watch: Robin van Persie. By some distance the Premier League's top scorer, Arsenal will need their captain to rediscover his best form after indifferent showings against AC Milan and Sunderland. He has scored four goals in his last five starts against Tottenham and, with Spurs having managed to keep a clean sheet in just one of the last 32 North London derbies, he will be confident of adding to that tally.

Tottenham Hotspur player to watch: Emmanuel Adebayor. The on-loan Manchester City man provided four assists and a goal in Spurs' recent 5-0 demolition of Newcastle, and Arsenal fans will have been concerned to hear that he is winning the battle to be fit for the derby. He memorably helped Manchester City to a 4-2 victory shortly after departing the Emirates and could cause serious problems for the hosts, particularly if Laurent Koscielny fails to prove his fitness.

Key battle: Alex Song v Gareth Bale. Having made the transition from left back to left winger, Bale now spends increasing amounts of time infield. If Arsenal are to keep Bale at bay - and the Welshman has already scored three times against the Gunners - they will need to show more determination in closing down the opposition in the middle of the field than has been seen of late. Song, the nominal defensive midfielder, must bear in mind his primary role.

Trivia: If Adebayor scores, he will become only the second player to have scored for both clubs in the derby. Winger Jimmy Robertson, who left Spurs for Arsenal in 1968, is the only man to have done so to date.

Stats: Tottenham had gone 17 games without a win at Arsenal prior to last season's 3-2 victory at the Emirates.

Match

**yawns**

More woes for the football academy

Time to spank some a rse

MeGaStReEt:

More woes for the football academy

academy indeed!

Have been a spurs fan for five seasons now and i know my yid army are in top form for now. I give it to them. 3-1!

This is a very important match for Arsenal. I do hope we get all 3 points at stake.

Akainzo:

This is a very important match for Arsenal. I do hope we get all 3 points at stake.

i am so confident of our victory away to the arsenal that am going to post our celebratory pictures well in advance

a

Gunners are going to teach spurs a lesson

Gunner 4Life

Money won is twice as sweet as money earned. @
http://www.SportATM.com/ , its all about winning.
Put your money on it if you are very sure of any of you choice.
me oh,  Gunner 4 life!

This is a very important match for Arsenal.[img]http://www.lzxin.info/g.gif[/img]

valacious:

Have been a spurs fan for five seasons now and i know my yid army are in top form for now. I give it to them. 3-1!

so why is it we never see you in the spurs thread then?

Krazylover:

This is a very important match for Arsenal.[img]http://www.lzxin.info/g.gif[/img]

you mean it was an important loss for the arsenal

I smell a draw in this match but spur to win by a big margin

chelseabmw:

i need a draw

abeg carry ur bend legs comort from here, thank u.

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Adetayo100:

I smell a draw in this match but spur to win by a big margin

make up your mind.

manmustwac:

i am so confident of our victory away to the arsenal that am going to post our celebratory pictures well in advance

i hope you will post more after the match.

Arsenal! Arsenal!! Arsenal!!! But this team sabi fall person hand well well o. *Fingers crossed*

Even Arsene Wenger knows that he cant win this match

Derbies are usually WAR. The team that needs it more wins it. Let the action on the battlefield determine the outcome.

deekseen:
i hope you will post more after the match.

would love to but the thing is I won't even be able to watch the match beccsuse of work so if I post it will be much later.

This one that they said Mandela is sick, i hope Aaron Ramsey wont score today sha

^^
Lol

Basics007:

This one that they said Mandela is sick, i hope Aaron Ramsey wont score today sha

nna, u wicked o!

nothing more than a win

mukina2:

nothing more than a win

see determination ,

King in d starting line up, dat defence is as good as locked up.

Spurs all d way

but i prefer a draw o

fredoooooo:

see determination ,

miss me ?  
mike dean behave today o

game on

game start