Notebook – Spurs vs Arsenal

A huge game is ahead of us this afternoon as we take on Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm UK).

Here are all of the game’s key points of note…

1 - A bid for redemption

There has been no clearer message from the players ahead of this game than their desire to set the record straight. Having suffered defeat at the Emirates back in September (3-1), the squad have not forgotten their full-time feelings from that day. Disappointed, frustrated and angered with result, they are determined to make amends today.

2 - Home comforts in the derby

Judging by our recent history, we have enjoyed our contests with Arsenal in N17. In our last eight home Premier League encounters with the Gunners, we have gone undefeated, winning six and drawing two of those games. We have won each of the last three such games, which have all come at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however we have never been able to win four home league games in a row against them.

Highlights: Spurs 2-0 Arsenal | 2020/21

3 - Hitting the target

This is also a fixture we regularly score in. Of our last 17 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, whether that be home or away, we have scored in all bar one of those – that was a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates in November, 2017.

4 - Penalty charge

Interestingly, many of those goals have come from the penalty spot. In the Premier League, we have taken 13 penalties against the Gunners and have scored all bar one of those – only Liverpool have won more (14) and scored more (13) against a single opponent in the competition's history (that being us). Of those penalties, Harry Kane has scored seven – indeed, no player has scored more from the spot against a single side in the competition’s history.

5 - Our last meeting in N17

The latest of Harry’s home penalties against Arsenal came in our 3-0 win over the Gunners in May. An encounter with so much riding on it as we went head-to-head with our north London rivals for a Champions League place, we turned Mikel Arteta’s side over at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Harry opened the scoring with that strike from the spot before he quickly doubled our lead with a diving header at the back stick. Heung-Min Son then wrapped up the drubbing with our third, coming early in the second half.

Highlights: Spurs 3-0 Arsenal | 2021/22

6 - History looming for Harry

Harry could make Spurs history today. He goes into the game just a goal behind our all-time scoring record of 266 set by the legendary Jimmy Greaves. It means just a goal today would see him hold the record alongside Greaves while two would see him take the title outright. He already holds the record for most goals in this fixture with 14 to his name and he has scored in all bar one of his home matches against the Gunners.

7 - Opening the scoring

As of late in the Premier League, we have had a habit of going behind – that was until last Wednesday when we opened the scoring in our 4-0 win at Crystal Palace. Harry Kane’s opening header was the first time in eight league games that we had scored first in a game. Of our last 18 games when we have opened the scoring, we have won 16 of them (D2).

8 - Second-half showings

Much of that habit had been brought about our prominence and output in the second half of matches. In the Premier League this season, 73 per cent of our goals (27/37) have come in the second period – that is the highest proportion in the top flight.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have conceded 71 per cent of their goals in the second half this season – the second worst record in the Premier League behind Newcastle (82 per cent).