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· Last Year's Game - Lost 4-5
· Last Year's Spursometer - 51%
· Spurs recent record in London Derbies
· This week - last year
· What happened in the Premiership in Match 11 2004-5
· Spurs lost 2-0 at Fulham
· Arsenal drew at home to Southampton
Full Record of Spurs -v- Arsenal
Prem Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 13 4 6 3 17 -17 18
Away 13 1 5 7 9 -18 8
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Total(Prem) 26 5 11 10 26 -35 26
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 55 24 12 19 93 -83 63
Away(Div 1) 55 16 12 27 65 -85 46
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Total(Div 1) 110 40 24 46 158 -168 109
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Total(Prem) 26 5 11 10 26 -35 26
Total(Div 1) 110 40 24 46 158 -168 109
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Grand Total 136 45 35 56 184 -203 135
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Last Six Premiership results:-
Spurs
Spurs 0-0 Liverpool
A. Villa 1-1 Spurs
Spurs 1-0 Fulham
Charlton 2-3 Spurs
Spurs 2-0 Everton
Man Utd 1-1 Spurs
Arsenal
M'brough 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Everton
West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-0 B'mingham
West Brom 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-0 Man City
Pos P W D L F -A GD Pts
3 Spurs 10 5 4 1 12-6 6 19
8 Arsenal 9 5 1 3 12-6 6 16
It might come as a surprise to readers to know that at this stage of the season, three years ago, Spurs were third in the table, with 19 points. It won't come as a surprise to know that Arsenal were above us, behind Liverpool. Spurs had a great start in Glenn Hoddle's last full season as manager, but generally speaking, it all went downhill after early and embarrassing Cup Defeats and soul destroying 4-goal losses at the end of that season.
It won't come as a surprise to be reminded that the last time Spurs beat Arsenal was in November 1999, thanks to goals from Iversen and a Tim Sherwood free kick. That match followed Spurs last exit from European Competition, and was a superb pick-me-up, as we went into 6th place. Ian Walker made a superb double save late in that game from Overmars and then Suker. The report can be read here
The last time that Spurs met Arsenal and were in a higher position in the table was as long ago as Saturday 29 April 1995. Before the game Spurs were in 7th place and Arsenal were 10th. It was a 1-1 draw and both teams stayed in the same positions afterwards.
It is a surprise that Arsenal have amongst the worst Premiership away records so far this season, having lost to Chelsea, Middlesbrough and West Brom (Kanu and all!), and only managing a draw at Upton Park. Spurs and their fans feel confident about this game, because of our position, form and the fact that we have only lost to Chelsea (with 10 men). I and many people I know, have acquaintances from "the other side", and we can all quote examples of opposition fans being genuinely worried about this game.
Arsenal's injury list is not as long as it was, but they will be missing Ashley Cole, recent signing Hleb and Ljungberg (NB: There is some suggestion that Ljungberg may make this game). The man we love to hate and Thierry Henry will be present (although the latest news is that he is 70% doubtful), although Reyes is a slight doubt. I was surprised that Henry did not include his goal against Spurs at Highbury in November 2002 in his top ten goals, compiled since he beat Ian Wright's scoring record for the Gooners. Henry has a considerable way to go before matching the record of our own record holder - Jimmy Greaves.
There will be plenty of talk about last year's astounding nine-goal match, but after Nourredine Naybet gave us a 37th minute lead, the game went Arsenal's way, and we never looked like quite getting level, despite Jermain Defoe's cracker that made it 3-2. Check out the links at the top and bottom of this article if you really MUST read the report!
Few of the Arsenal team that beat Sunderland 3-0 last night will be playing in our game, so most of them will be as fresh as the Spurs squad, which has no new injury worries, but will be missing Edgar Davids through a one-match suspension. Teemu Tainio has been out for a couple of weeks with a knee problem, so he will be challenging hard for a starting place, and I expect him to play.
We'll have no chance for a comedy penalty, thank you (See Stan James if you do fancy the odds), but I would love to see Jermaine Jenas given the opportunity to demonstrate his new-found free kick skills!
You cannot get away from the fact that Arsenal are a relatively ordinary side without Vieira. It's a shame that Henry is (possibly) fit again, and we must not be at all complacent, as whatever team is put out will be battling hard and trying to run us into the ground. I don't think we'll have many goals and will predict a win for Spurs by 1-0. I am hopeful of dancing home from the ground this time, but beware - a loss would put us back below "The Others"!
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