Maybe this isn't the biggest game of the season for the Arsenal players any more, but it certainly is for the fans.
These days the players look out for the games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool but this is always the one for the supporters. Now that Tottenham are playing well, it's bigger than ever.
Redknapp and Wenger: going head to head
Is the gap getting narrower between these two teams? We'll have to see on Saturday, but Tottenham have definitely got players to challenge the top four.
Harry Redknapp has built a good squad, but their challenge will depend on avoiding key injuries and suspensions; just look at what happened to them against Stoke without Jermain Defoe.
Will Harry be tempted to stick or twist at the Emirates? If they'd beat Stoke he could view this as a free game, there would be less fear for the players, but now the need for a result is quite important.
When I used to play under George Graham and we went 1-0 up, you'd trot back to the half-way line and see on the opposition team's faces that they knew they couldn't win. That's not the case now.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
Arsenal v Tottenham
12.30pm, Sat, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
If he twists, there are goals in this game for Spurs. If Tottenham go and try to defend for 90 minutes I'm sure Arsenal will open them up, but Arsenal's defence is vulnerable - as we saw against West Ham - so it could be game on.
Arsenal are playing as well as anybody and have scored the most goals in the Premier League - but in the top half only two teams have let in more goals. That says a lot.
I wrote after the Alkmaar game that if they took the lead against West Ham they must learn to kill the game off. They didn't do that and in the end it finished 2-2. That could be a massive two points at the end of the season and that sort of thing could cost them a trophy this year.
For how great Arsenal are, you're always in the game against them. When I used to play under George Graham and we went 1-0 up, you'd trot back to the half-way line and see on the opposition team's faces that they knew they couldn't win. That's not the case now.
For the first time in a long time I wouldn't be surprised if Tottenham won at Arsenal. A win for Spurs would give them massive confidence, but they've already lost to Manchester United and Chelsea - so a defeat to Arsenal would tell Harry a lot.
They've started well and they can beat the lesser teams, but they won't be involved in the top four if they keep losing to the top sides.
Neither side seems good enough to keep a clean sheet. They were both dominant in their games last weekend and they both conceded so I think we can expect goals.
Surely we can't see another 4-4 draw - or can we? I remember than famous 4-3 win for Liverpool against Newcastle - and then in the next game it was exactly the same score!
I think we could be in for a classic here too.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - I can't see Arsenal failing to win, but Spurs will be in the game because they've got too many good players. I've played for Harry and he won't mess about; he won't put 10 players behind the ball and will tell them to have a go. Spurs will score goals, but they won't see the ball for long periods and if Arsenal click they could score five. I'm going for 3-2 to Arsenal.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
William Gallas - Arsenal have got to liven up at the back. They haven't got a Tony Adams or a Steve Bould to lead them and that's why they're letting in silly late goals. Someone's got to step up and start shouting and organising people. Maybe Gallas is the one; he's a top-drawer player and Arsenal need him to play well.
Comments (24)
Jon Hillier (Arsenal fan) says...
A fair prediction I'd say Merse and I'm expecting Harry's Spurs to come out and bring the game to the Arsenal, but despite throwing away points in previous matches the midweek win over Liverpool should have us back to a winning frame of mind. I disagree with previous comments about our foreign imports not understanding the rivalry of this fixture and in any case the atmosphere will be electric and they'll rise to the occaission....you'll see! Come on you gunners
Posted 11:17 31st October 2009
Media Bias (Manchester City fan) says...
"If Tottenham go and try to defend for 90 minutes " No chance. That's what Stoke did, as anyone who watched the game will tell you. It had nothing to do with Jermain Defoe being out.
Posted 11:11 31st October 2009
Bill Williams (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Merse know's what he's talking about, but I'm hoping tomorrow will be a turning point for the Spurs. Look where we were last year when this fixture turned up and look what happened!!! OK that statistic means nothing now, but it gave us a platform to build on and I believe helped turn the season. And, it was only a draw!!! (Albeit a high scoring one!!). Seriously, I think we have a much stronger squad now than this time last year and we might have Defoe missing but one player doesn't make the team. I'm putting my faith in 'Arry and feeling positive. Whatever the score it should be a close one and if it does go our way let's hope we can build on it and move onward and upward.
Posted 19:35 30th October 2009
Declan Walker (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I agree that this match has a lot of potentail to be a clasic. Spurs would have prefered to go into the game with a fully fit, Lennon, Modric, King, and Woodgate. And of Course the suspended Defoe. But i think there will be a lot of hard graft put in by the players that do come in. Palacios and Assou-Ekotto seem to be two very under rated players by the Arsenal fans. Just ask Steven Gerrard if it was easy to tear Wilson Palacios apart. So Palacios has come up against better players than Cesc, and walked away on top. This game for Spurs will be won or lost, depending on how Palacios abd Huddlestone perform in the moddle of the park. I'm also excited by the prospect of Bentley starting. Maybe he can show the fans that he's worth his salt.
Posted 17:55 30th October 2009
Anurag Mohanty (Arsenal fan) says...
Although it is heartening to know that Spurs don't have either Defoe or Lennon,but with Crouch lurking around, and our vulnerability to set-pieces it will be foolish to experience anything less than a fantastic match-up.However, we have Wenger and we are playing at home,so we would be winning comfortably.
Posted 16:20 30th October 2009
Freddie E (Barcelona fan) says...
Another absolute belter in store for everyone at home no doubt but even more so for the fans at the Emirates. The atmosphere should again prove to be roaring as both teams towards the top of the table look for the three points. Both teams come into this match with a good degree of confidence. With the fans behind them, I suspect Arsenal to just nick it however they could maybe be five or six goals in this match. Who knows. A treat for everyone who watches this one- it could never disappoint! Arsenal 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Posted 15:54 30th October 2009
Yan nagor Sebayang (Arsenal fan) says...
I think Arsenal will win the game. They are in a good form after defeated Liverpool in Carling Cup. Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy had to be strong at the back. While Fabregas, Arshavin, and Van Persie have to keep their composure at front. Alex Song must keep his pace at center midfield along with Eboue and Diaby. They must keep an eye at Crouch and Keane.
Posted 15:47 30th October 2009
Homzie D (Manchester United fan) says...
Merse, I agree with you. Arsenal are the best footballing side in England and play breathtaking football. They are always likely to score goals and its no surprise that they are the top scorers in the league. Spurs are blowing hot and cold and aren't in the best of forms. The defence of both teams look vulnerable at times and I think there will be goals. I'm going for an Arsenal win. Arsenal 3 Spurs 2 and Man To Watch will be Andrei Arshavin. He is class! World Class!!!
Posted 15:35 30th October 2009
Myuran Ranganathan (Arsenal fan) says...
I agree with most of what Paul said and i think that Arsenal will win tomorrow, but the only problem i see is the fact that we can throw away a one goal lead in the last minute like against Az Alkmaar and throw away a two goal lead like against West Ham, we are definately better than tottenham so we should beat them but we need to learn how to defend the lead and build on that. With some key players missing from tottenhams side we should be able to take advantage of that. Im predicting 4-3 to arsenal with Arshavin scoring twice, van Persie once and Diaby, there's only one team in North London
Posted 15:09 30th October 2009
David Shepherd (Arsenal fan) says...
It should be another classic game of football. Unfortunalty I were there when we drew 4-4, there again tomorrow hopefully it'll be 4-2 this time round. With Defoe missing and have heard Lennon is injuryed the game has become much tougher for spurs before it has began. Last couple of games when Lennon has played he hasn't been upto his best and when he's not on form spurs look completely different. Arsenal to win comfortably tomorrow having rested all our big names midweek.
Posted 14:07 30th October 2009
Nick Bennett (Arsenal fan) says...
I agree with Merse here, good column and he actually sounds a lot more intelligent to read than listen to, sorry Merse! There will be goals in this, no clean sheets at all, we have a strong defence for 75 minutes of the game and I think when we are ahead we feel we are ont he brink of a win and get nervous which is why, yes we need Gallas and Vermaelen to step up, but i also think we need Song to step up in those last 15 minutes. Song has been great this season but I think he gets nervy towards the end which goes to show when he gave away the penalty at West Ham and this will prove to Spurs favour and I think Harry would have picked up on that. Depending on the scoreline I think Harry knows to be Gung-Ho in the last 15 mins because we find it difficult to cope. However with Fabregas, Arshavin, Van Persie and hopefully Nasri we will cause a threat for 90 mins. 4-2 Arsenal!
Posted 13:59 30th October 2009
Richard Hamden (Arsenal fan) says...
I agree with Merson about Arsenal defence. I think we got a good backline, but defend poorly as a team. I miss the days when we use to press team, so the only team playing football was arsenal. Now when we up against a good team as Tottenham are, i get nervous because we never look comfortable. I think we are a superior team than Tottenham and the only way tottenham can win, if our attackers fell a sleep & Tottenham was at their ruthless best. I think Crouch may cause us problems as usual. To be honest. I think as soon as Wenger tells his team how good they are and good they can be, is when we'll see arsenal true potential coming into tuition.... but as it stands... we haven't got the knout & mental strength to keep ourselves in a good positions. This is when Wenger needs to come. until wenger installs this into his young talented team, the arsenal fans are going to be put through the usual exciting roller coaster which ends with nothing.... Someone tell wenger that teams are remembered by trophies & not the way they play. The football as me wowing.... but im starving for my team to win a trophy
Posted 13:55 30th October 2009
Khyl Hardman (Arsenal fan) says...
There's always a massive build up to the North London derby each year, it never seems to be individuals that win either side this game, it's always a massive team perfomance, i believe the key players are the usually quiet ones for Arsenal, Song is absolutely key to breaking down spurs quick breaks, because as much as it pains me to say it, their attack is only below that of the Arsenal/Chelsea/City. I think Thomas Vermaelen has to be given a shout, he has been absolutely class since he joined us in the summer, our back line is stronger than Spurs', they have weak links such as Assou-Ekotto, the likes of Nasri, Arshavin will tear that guy apart, i'm gonna be brave and go for the 2-1 to Arsenal, Spurs are starting to gain my respect a little with Harry Redknapp in charge, but at the end of the day, we are the better team and will be higher placed come the end of the season. I sincerely hope Andrey Arshavin gets a goal in this game to kickstart his season, he's not reaching his potential at the moment and i can't wait for him to start bossing defenses across the country. Come on you gunners.
Posted 13:52 30th October 2009
Dominick Colasanto (Arsenal fan) says...
As its an early kick off it may take a while to get going, but league form goes out the window whenever we play Spurs. Everyone will be fresh for us but Spurs will want to prove a point. This is one game where we cant afford to dop points in. Im going for Arsenal to win 2-1. RED ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 13:39 30th October 2009
Tom Joyce (Arsenal fan) says...
I agree with Paul, it will be tight but this tie has plenty of goals in it. I think Spurs will be hard beaten tomorrow, they always raise it against us as its their biggest game annually, have no Europe to worry about, and they may be inspired getting to play on a class pitch in a magnificent stadium. I think Palacios will get frustrated chasing Arsenals midfield and see red, and the gunners to win by the narrowest of margins.
Posted 13:35 30th October 2009
Mani Thompson (Arsenal fan) says...
To Selwyn Govender- Arsenal, with all their imports, don't know the actual extent of this derby- and you have still not beating us in the league since Spurs have got two really good players (mordric and King)and they are not even playing. The rest are avarge at best. Cant see anything but a win. 4-2 to the reds
Posted 13:34 30th October 2009
Lew . (Arsenal fan) says...
To Aedan: although i agree with you about Wilson and he's a 'good' player not a great one or he wouild have joined united. By the way he was never an 'arsenal' player, we had him on trial, didnt have room for him so recommended him to steve bruce which he duly signed him up. cesc has came up against better players and twisted them inside out. def gonna be goqals, 3-1 to us gooners. bring it haha
Posted 13:05 30th October 2009
Abdulhafiz Gulma (Arsenal fan) says...
i think arsenal and spur's are two different teams am going with paul not just because am an arsenal fan but i mean ARSENAL have been in the top four for past a decade now, in a couple of seasons or more they have been written off easily, common arsenal..
Posted 13:02 30th October 2009
Wayne Rouse (Arsenal fan) says...
The gunners will win by the odd goal in 5 and once again show that Spurs are not up to the challenge of getting into the top 4. It seems like every season Spurs look like they might have a squad to challenge, but they do not have the strength in depth like Robbie Keane has suggested to sustain a challenge and win a champions league place!! My only worry would be Bentley and Crouch, as they both have a good record versus The Arsenal!
Posted 12:58 30th October 2009
Mandy Roberts (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I agree with most of what Paul had too say, but Im hoping the scoreline is 3-2 to Tottenham. I think we are going too miss Defoe alot tomorrow, Spurs do seem too pick their game up when they play Arsenal and I think its going too be a good game. Come on you Spurs.
Posted 12:15 30th October 2009
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