Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker and midfielder Sandro are both doubtful after coming off injured against Benfica, while Mousa Dembele (hamstring) could once more miss out. Etienne Capoue (ankle), Vlad Chiriches (back) and Michael Dawson (hamstring) are also sidelined.
Spurs (from): Friedel, Gomes, Lloris, Kaboul, Naughton, Rose, Vertonghen, Walker, Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Lennon, Paulinho, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Adebayor, Soldado.
Arsenal:
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Injuries are overshadowing this crucial North London derby. Spurs must respond to Tim Sherwood's tongue-lashing to get back into contention for a top-four place. But Arsenal will surely be out of the title running if they suffer back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 14 months.
Tottenham's defensive woes were exposed by Benfica on Thursday. Younes Kaboul went absent at two set-pieces and they looked vulnerable in the air. Olivier Giroud and Arsenal's centre-backs could have a field day - remember that Per Mertesacker scored home and away against Spurs last season.
The loss of Michael Dawson to a hamstring problem is untimely on top of injuries to Vlad Chiriches and Etienne Capoue. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose didn't look fully match-fit on Thursday either.
Tottenham are struggling with a lack of confidence. Was Sherwood's blast at his players right? I found it refreshing to hear a manager give an honest, heartfelt appraisal of his team. At Chelsea the defence was shocking. It is time a few harsh words were spoken.
I expect whatever team he can pick to come out firing. They will try to expose Arsenal in wide positions and get quality service into Emmanuel Adebayor, who has 12 goals in North London derbies shared between the two clubs and loves this occasion.
The Togolese giant has been one of the few players to be exempt from the manager's criticism - he has looked really hungry and sharp, as 11 goals in 17 games under Sherwood proves.
Is it a good time to face Arsenal? They were terrific against Everton in the FA Cup and deserved a draw at Bayern Munich. But it cost them Mesut Ozil and now their most creative players - Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Ozil - are all missing.
I presume Mathieu Flamini will be recalled to stiffen the midfield but it will take a huge effort from the Gunners to notch up a treble of victories against the auld enemy this campaign.
The pendulum has swung back their way in the derby. But I can't see anything between the two sides and I'm afraid a draw won't suit either.
Head-to-head
Arsenal have not won on any of their last five league visits to White Hart Lane (D2, L3), losing their last two matches there 2-1.
Their last victory at Tottenham was a 3-1 win on 15 September 2007, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice.
Tottenham are seeking their 50th league win over the Gunners.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have netted 16 times in their 14 home league games this season. Prior to this weekend, it was the lowest tally in the top half of the Premier League table.
They are unbeaten in the 16 league games in which they have scored first this season, winning 13 of those matches.
Of the 37 goals Tottenham have conceded in the Premier League, 20 have come in four games (home and away to Manchester City, plus away to Liverpool and Chelsea).
According to Opta statistics, Tottenham have made 13 errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, three more than any other side. Three of them came last weekend against Chelsea.
Arsenal
The Gunners have won only two of their last six league games (W2, D2, L2).
Defeat would see the Gunners lose three successive away league games for the first time since August-October 2011. The third game in that sequence was a 2-1 loss to Tottenham on 2 October.
Arsenal have conceded 21 of their 28 goals this season away from home.
They have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven away league games, conceding a total of 16 goals.
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Arsenal will be without Germany international Mesut Ozil, who sustained a hamstring injury in the Bayern draw, while Aaron Ramsey misses out after suffering a setback in his recovery from a thigh problem.
Jack Wilshere (foot) and Theo Walcott (knee) also remain sidelined and Kieran Gibbs (calf) is doubtful, but Nacho Monreal (foot) returns and January loan signing Kim Kallstrom could make his long-awaited debut after returning to training following a back injury.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Szczesny, Viviano, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Cazorla, Eisfeld, Flamini, Gnabry, Kallstrom, Miyaichi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Podolski, Sanogo.
Jack Wilshere (foot) and Theo Walcott (knee) also remain sidelined and Kieran Gibbs (calf) is doubtful, but Nacho Monreal (foot) returns and January loan signing Kim Kallstrom could make his long-awaited debut after returning to training following a back injury.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Szczesny, Viviano, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Vermaelen, Arteta, Cazorla, Eisfeld, Flamini, Gnabry, Kallstrom, Miyaichi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Podolski, Sanogo.
Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Dean. Assistants: J Collin, M McDonough. Fourth Official: A Marriner.BBC Match Preview:
Quote:
Injuries are overshadowing this crucial North London derby. Spurs must respond to Tim Sherwood's tongue-lashing to get back into contention for a top-four place. But Arsenal will surely be out of the title running if they suffer back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 14 months.
Tottenham's defensive woes were exposed by Benfica on Thursday. Younes Kaboul went absent at two set-pieces and they looked vulnerable in the air. Olivier Giroud and Arsenal's centre-backs could have a field day - remember that Per Mertesacker scored home and away against Spurs last season.
The loss of Michael Dawson to a hamstring problem is untimely on top of injuries to Vlad Chiriches and Etienne Capoue. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose didn't look fully match-fit on Thursday either.
Tottenham are struggling with a lack of confidence. Was Sherwood's blast at his players right? I found it refreshing to hear a manager give an honest, heartfelt appraisal of his team. At Chelsea the defence was shocking. It is time a few harsh words were spoken.
I expect whatever team he can pick to come out firing. They will try to expose Arsenal in wide positions and get quality service into Emmanuel Adebayor, who has 12 goals in North London derbies shared between the two clubs and loves this occasion.
The Togolese giant has been one of the few players to be exempt from the manager's criticism - he has looked really hungry and sharp, as 11 goals in 17 games under Sherwood proves.
Is it a good time to face Arsenal? They were terrific against Everton in the FA Cup and deserved a draw at Bayern Munich. But it cost them Mesut Ozil and now their most creative players - Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Ozil - are all missing.
I presume Mathieu Flamini will be recalled to stiffen the midfield but it will take a huge effort from the Gunners to notch up a treble of victories against the auld enemy this campaign.
The pendulum has swung back their way in the derby. But I can't see anything between the two sides and I'm afraid a draw won't suit either.
Match facts:
Quote:
Head-to-head
Arsenal have not won on any of their last five league visits to White Hart Lane (D2, L3), losing their last two matches there 2-1.
Their last victory at Tottenham was a 3-1 win on 15 September 2007, when Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice.
Tottenham are seeking their 50th league win over the Gunners.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs have netted 16 times in their 14 home league games this season. Prior to this weekend, it was the lowest tally in the top half of the Premier League table.
They are unbeaten in the 16 league games in which they have scored first this season, winning 13 of those matches.
Of the 37 goals Tottenham have conceded in the Premier League, 20 have come in four games (home and away to Manchester City, plus away to Liverpool and Chelsea).
According to Opta statistics, Tottenham have made 13 errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, three more than any other side. Three of them came last weekend against Chelsea.
Arsenal
The Gunners have won only two of their last six league games (W2, D2, L2).
Defeat would see the Gunners lose three successive away league games for the first time since August-October 2011. The third game in that sequence was a 2-1 loss to Tottenham on 2 October.
Arsenal have conceded 21 of their 28 goals this season away from home.
They have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven away league games, conceding a total of 16 goals.
Always Excited before this game, always equally nervous. On paper I'd say Arsenal are favourites but these are the games where anything can happen. We haven't got a great record here recently so a win would be most welcome!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!