Key events
Mikel Arteta speaks: “A very strong rival, difficult terrain: we have to face the challenge. We are in rhythm, we have had a few days to prepare for the game. Every game is essential, and it has been that way for many months. We have to earn the right to win this game.”
Here Karen Carney explains why form may not matter in the cauldron of a North London derby.
Other Arsenal A game with big title implications is already underway in the WSL. Follow that one with Daniel Harris here:
Lots of pre-match reading for you; Let's start with Jonathan Wilson on Ange Postecoglou's Spurs and what the clubs mean to their fans.
Pre-game thoughts Arsenal Captain, Martín Ødegaard: We feel good, looking forward to playing these types of games. We have to stay focused and focused on what we can control, and take it game by game. Today it is the same mentality.”
And here is Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. “It is very important for us to feel the support of our fans, (but) we will focus on ourselves. “The game is crucial for us and our future, we don't think about what it means for Arsenal.”
Three changes for Spurs from 4-0 at St James' Park, with Dejan Kulusevski replacing Brennan Johnson, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg chosen ahead of Yves Bissouma and Ben Davies. In place of the injured Destiny Udogie. As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta remains with the starting eleven that beat Chelsea by five on Tuesday.
team news
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Vicar; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Højbjerg, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Son (c).
Substitutes: Austin, Dragusin, Bissouma, Richarlison, Sarr, Bryan Gil, Emerson, Lo Celso, Johnson.
Arsenal (4-3-3): stripe; Blanco, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard (c); Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Substitutes: Ramsdale, Kiwior, Jorginho, Vieira, Zinchenko, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus.
Preamble
Arsenal fans don't like to talk about it, but their team does secured the Premier League title at their local rivals' ground before. Mikel Arteta's team cannot win the title today, but they risk losing it here, and the points lost will likely be punished by Manchester City, who are increasingly looming in the rearview mirror.
On the other hand, this Arsenal The team overcame a painful home defeat to Aston Villa by beating Wolves well and then eviscerating Chelsea, and an equally stirring performance here will increase the pressure on the champions. They play at the City Ground, the venue where Arsenal's title bid failed last season, later this afternoon.
Just six months ago, Tottenham were top of the table, but Ange Postecoglou's men are now desperately chasing Villa in fourth place. However, they can still shape the title race as City still have to visit and travel to Anfield next Sunday. Spurs have had 15 days to reflect on the 4-0 defeat at Newcastle; Arsenal have played four times in that period.
Will the Spurs rediscover their sense of purpose and test their opponents' tired legs? Or will Arsenal maintain their momentum against hosts stuck in a stop-and-start rut? Who knows, this is the North London derby, a match where almost anything can happen. Start: 2pm BST.
