Premier League Team News and Prediction: Arsenal vs Tottenham

While a match between tenth and seventh in the Premier League may not seem like the marquee tie of the weekend, when Arsenal and Tottenham go head-to-head there are very few more highly anticipated fixtures in the calendar.

While Arsenal are likely to be out of the running for a potential top four finish, Mikel Arteta will still be clinging on to hopes of a Europa League spot until mathematically impossible. Tottenham are still very much in the running for a Champions League return, just six points off Chelsea in fourth with two games in hand after the Blues' stalemate with Leeds on Saturday.

When is kick off?
Sunday 14th March, 16:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Emirates Stadium, London
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event

Form Guide

Both teams come into the game off the back of strong results in the Europa League on Thursday but it's Spurs that undoubtedly do so in stronger form in general. Jose Mourinho's side have won five on the spin but the quality of the opponents in that run is worthwhile context, and so too is a very fortunate disallowed goal for Fulham at the start of the month. Indeed, you have to go back to the reverse fixture three months ago to find the last time Tottenham beat a team currently in the top half of the league.

A comeback win over Benfica just over a fortnight ago has certainly appeared to have buoyed Arsenal, though a 1-1 draw at Burnley last week was a minor setback. The Gunners have had a tougher run of fixtures than their rivals this weekend, that's for sure, and have managed their squad well over that period.

Team News

Arsenal have a clean bill of health and come into the game full of confidence after an excellent 3-1 win over Olympiacos in Greece. Mikel Arteta made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Burnley last weekend, with Hector Bellerin and Gabriel replacing Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari respectively. Those two defensive decisions will likely be the dilemmas for Arteta ahead of the game, though the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith-Rowe are all hoping to make a return to the attack.

The big debate ahead of the derby is the fitness of Harry Kane, who was icing his knee having scored a brace against Dinamo Zagreb in the week but is expected to start. His record in the North London Derby is second to none after all, having scored in 10 of 12 Premier League appearances against Arsenal. The only absentee for the visitors will be Giovani Lo Celso, who is nearing a return to fitness but remains out with a back injury.

Probable Lineups

Arsenal (4231): Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Willian; Aubameyang

Tottenham (4231): Lloris; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Ndombele; Bale, Moura, Son; Kane

Key Battle: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Gareth Bale

After a disappointing first half of the season, Aubameyang has looked somewhere close to his best in recent months, if not quite as consistent as in previous seasons. He's scored 9 goals in 13 appearances in all competitions since the turn of the year and boasts a solid record against Tottenham. That said, of seven goals against Arsenal's fierce rivals, four came during his time at Borussia Dortmund, though he was the match winner the last time the Gunners won the derby, scoring twice in a 4-2 win back in 2018.

While Tottenham have won the last two meetings between the teams, you have to venture all the way back to 2010 to find the last time they won a league match at The Emirates Stadium. Spurs came from 2-0 down at half-time, with Gareth Bale scoring the first of three goals to win 3-2. The Welshman has been in scintilating form of late too having, like Aubameyang, struggled to make an impact before the New Year. With six goals and three assists in his last seven appearances, Arsenal have another in form forward to worry about, having only denied both Kane and Son Heung-Min in one of the last 12 meetings between the sides.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham