Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in what promises to be a thrilling Premier League encounter.
Both sides are unbeaten in the league this season, creating the perfect platform for the latest clash between the two north London rivals.
The Gunners triumphed 1-0 at Everton last weekend, before kicking off their Champions League fixtures with an emphatic 4-0 home victory over PSV Eindhoven in midweek.
They will switch their attention back to league matters on Sunday against a Tottenham team that has been on a roll under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
His team got out of jail at home to Sheffield United last Saturday, scoring two stoppage-time goals to secure a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The result left Tottenham second in the table, two points behind reigning champions Manchester City and ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal on goal difference.
They will be desperate to take something from the game at the Emirates to prove their resurgence under Postecoglou is no fluke.
The Australian has been a breath of fresh air since arriving at Tottenham and will want to make a statement against their biggest rivals.
It would be no surprise to see him get under Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s skin this weekend, which could have a knock-on effect on matters on the pitch.
While Arteta will take confidence from Arsenal’s recent home record against Tottenham, he would be well advised not to underestimate the threat they pose.
Match Preview
Arsenal are looking to win three consecutive league games against their local rivals for the first time since a run of five between 1987 and 1989.
They have won four of their last five Premier League games against Tottenham (L1) – as many victories as they had in their previous 16 outings (D6, L6).
This is the first league meeting between the two sides with both still unbeaten coming into the match since September 1990.
Bukayo Saka could be the man to watch for Arsenal, having bagged 12 goals and six assists in his last 18 Premier League appearances.
Tottenham have won just one of their last 30 league away games against Arsenal (D11, L18), and are winless (D4, L8) since a 3-2 victory in November 2010.
However, they have scored at least twice in all five league games under Postecoglou, suggesting that they are likely to score against Arsenal as well.
Tottenham have won their last two games having conceded first, but have never previously come from behind to win three consecutive Premier League matches.
Postecoglou will take heart from his derby record for Celtic in Scotland, having suffered just three defeats in eleven games against Rangers.
Team News
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli is doubtful for the derby. The winger was taken off in the first half against Everton after picking up a hamstring injury.
Leandro Trossard replaced the Brazilian against PSV and will be eager to retain his place after getting on the scoresheet against the Eredivisie side.
Thomas Partey is expected to remain on the sidelines, while Jurrien Timber and Mohamed Elneny are ruled out with long-term injuries.
Tottenham have no new injury issues. Rodrigo Bentancur, Bryan Gil and Ryan Sessegnon are close to a comeback but will miss this game.
Giovanni Lo Celso missed last weekend’s game against the Blades but could be in contention for a place on the bench this weekend.
Arsenal potential starting line-up:
(4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira; Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus.
Tottenham potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Christian Romero, Destiny Udogie; Yves Bissouma, Pape Mate Sarr; Manor Soloman, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski; Heung-min Son.
We Say: Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
While Tottenham’s recent record at the Emirates does not bode well for their chances on Sunday, they look a completely different animal under Postecoglou.
The Australian is a vastly underrated coach, and he could have opposite number Mikel Arteta on the back foot this weekend.
Tottenham look a better all-round team without Harry Kane and undoubtedly have the ability to leave the Emirates with at least a point.
Arsenal have yet to fully hit their stride in the league this season despite going unbeaten and will not find things easy against their local rivals.
