Spurs poised to spoil Gunners’ fun

The result of today’s North London derby could define the
race for the top four finish in the current English Pre mier
League.
Should an unpredictable Tottenham Hotspur strike a perfect
rhythm this after noon, then Arsenal’s hope of moving into the
top four bracket would suffer another set-back.
After a marked improvement since the middle of December,
Tottenham bowed to Crystal Palace last weekend to taste the
first defeat in its last nine Premier League games, six of which
it won.
Manager, Mauricio Pochettino may have found that magic
formula; although with Spurs there is always the feeling that
another slip up is just around the corner, especially, if on-fire
Arsenal comes to the party this afternoon.
Nevertheless, Spurs look like genuine top-four challengers this
season, thanks to Harry Kane, who without his 20 goals this
season, The Lilywhites would be nothing more than mid-table
fodder.
Pochettino has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from
today with Nabil Bentaleb returning to domestic action fol­
lowing the exit of Algeria from the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the host side should be prepared to sweat for vital
points as a recent run of five consecutive comfortable wins,
four of which have come without conceding a goal, highlight
just how good Arsenal can be when things are going well.
Most interesting about Arsenal’s current form was the manner
of the recent victory at Manchester City. For once, Arsene
Wenger appeared to abandon some of his infamously stubborn
principles in exchange for the greater good of all three points;
something of a rarity for the Gunners against fellow top-four
teams away from home.
Although hit-man, Alexis Sanchez’s fitness remains suspect
after missing last weekend’s demolition of Aston Villa with a
hamstring injury, Danny Welbeck is expected to return from a
thigh injury that had kept him out of action since the turn of
the year.
Spurs have lost only one of the last four North London derbies
at the White Hart Lane and have already beaten Chelsea and
Southampton and drawn with Manchester United at home this
season. Although Arsenal was impressive against Manchester
City at the Etihad a couple of weeks ago, it remains to be
seen whether Wenger’s side can re-enact that form today at
the White Hart Lane. Just two points separate both sides on
the Premier League log.