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Spotlight on… Arsenal

Sat 11 July 2020, 14:30|Tottenham Hotspur

On Sunday, our new home hosts its first men’s north London derby as we take on Arsenal in N17 (4.30pm kick-off).

While the game will be televised on Sky Sports, supporters can catch all the build-up to the encounter across our social media channels and the Spurs Official app as we once again bring you N17 Live – our pre-match show brought to you from inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Team news

Arsenal will be without Bernd Leno, Calum Chambers, Gabriel Martinelli (all knee) and Pablo Mari (ankle) who are sidelined through injury.

Meanwhile, forward Eddie Nketiah will also be unavailable through suspension following his red card in their midweek draw with Leicester. Midfielder Mesut Ozil is being assessed ahead of the game.

Arsenal’s form

Our north London neighbours may have endured a sluggish return to action when the Premier League season resumed in June, as they failed to pick up any points from their first two outings, however, they have been unbeaten in their five games since. After suffering back-to-back defeats to Manchester City (3-0) and Brighton (2-1), the Gunners secured victory in three Premier League games on the trot (2-0 v Southampton, 4-0 v Norwich and 2-0 v Wolves) while they also booked their spot in the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United. Last time out, they earned a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

One to watch

A breakthrough star for the Gunners this season has been their talented academy graduate Bukayo Saka. Pacey on the wings with an eye for a pass and a goal, Saka made his debut for Arsenal at the age of just 17 and has gone from strength to strength since. Already this season, the teenager has made 36 appearances and been involved in 15 goals (four scored, 11 assisted). Last week he signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates.

New faces

There were two new arrivals at the Emirates Stadium in January as the Gunners looked to bolster their defensive options. Both joining on loan, centre-back Pablo Mari signed from Brazilian outfit Flamengo and full-back Cedric Soares moved from Southampton.

Leader of the opposition

A former Arsenal player, Mikel Arteta returned to the north London in December to take charge of his former side. A talented playmaker during his playing days, Arteta came through Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, before going on to wear the shirts of Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers, Real Sociedad, Everton and then the Gunners. Upon retiring, the former midfielder joined the coaching staff at Manchester City where he helped Pep Guardiola to lead the Citizens to two Premier League titles as well as the FA Cup and the League Cup prior to moving to the Emirates last winter.

Last five meetings

1 September, 2019 – Arsenal 2-2 Spurs – Premier League
2 March 2019 – Spurs 1-1 Arsenal – Premier League
19 December 2018 – Arsenal 0-2 Spurs – Carabao Cup quarter-final
2 December 2018 – Arsenal 4-2 Spurs – Premier League
10 February 2018 – Spurs 1-0 Arsenal – Premier League

The numbers game

2 – In 20 career meetings with Arsenal, Jose Mourinho has suffered just two defeats – winning 10 and drawing eight.

0 – In home encounters with the Gunners to date, Jose remains unbeaten with six wins and four draws in 10 such games.

34 – This will be the first north London derby for 34 years to see both teams' managers sampling their first taste of the famous rivalry from the sidelines. The last time that both clubs had new mangers heading into their first north London derby was in September, 1986, when David Pleat led us and George Graham managed the Gunners.

10 – In 10 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, Harry Kane has 10 goals.

11 - There has not been a 0-0 draw between the sides since February, 2009 – a run of 25 games.