Match preview: Spurs v Arsenal
Match preview
Arsene Wenger says he has full confidence in David Ospina after confirming that Peter Cech will be ruled out for 3-4 weeks, starting with the north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Cech was injured in the 2-1 defeat by Swansea City on Wednesday, forcing Ospina to make his first Barclays Premier League appearance of the season at White Hart Lane. The Arsenal manager believes the Colombian will thrive in the spotlight.
"I have complete confidence in David and I’m not worried at all on that front," Wenger told arsenal.com. "If you look at the win rate of Ospina it is very good as well. I’m not worried at all."
Wenger also confirmed that Laurent Koscielny, who missed the Swansea match with a calf injury, will also be absent from White Hart Lane.
Spurs were also beaten on Wednesday, losing 1-0 at West Ham United but will go top if they defeat Arsenal, ahead of Leicester City's visit to Watford later in the day.
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Dele Alli was a second-half substitute in the loss at the Boleyn Ground but is expected to return to the starting XI on Saturday after a foot issue. The Spurs midfielder believes that the two teams' lofty positions will make the match only more important.
“It’s probably one of the biggest games in England – the world, even – and for us both to be up there fighting at the top of the table just makes it even bigger and even more special," Alli told tottenhamhotspur.com.
Mousa Dembele is also set to be in contention for Spurs after a groin problem.
A Mathieu Flamini double gave Arsenal a 2-1 League Cup win at White Hart Lane in September, while the reverse league fixture at Emirates Stadium was a 1-1 draw after Kieran Gibbs cancelled out Harry Kane's strike.
Tottenham Hotspur (from): Lloris, McGee, Vorm, Alderweireld, Davies, Dier, Rose, Trippier, Walker, Wimmer, Alli, Bentaleb, Carroll, Chadli, Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Mason, Onomah, Son, Winks, Kane.
Arsenal (from): Ospina, Macey, Bellerin, Chambers, Gabriel, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Coquelin, Elneny, Flamini, Ozil, Ramsey, Campbell, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck.
Match Appointments
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: M Mullarkey, S Child Fourth Official: R East
Match Facts
- Harry Kane has scored three goals in two Barclays Premier League appearances against Arsenal, and has 13 goals in 17 London derbies in the competition.
- Tottenham Hotspur have lost just one of their last seven league matches against the Gunners at White Hart Lane (W4 D2 L1).
- Arsenal have taken the most points from the head to heads between this season’s top four (10), while Spurs have eight.
- Arsenal have won just two of their last eight BPL away matches (W2 D3 L3).
Spurs
Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino
Arsenal
Manager: Arsene Wenger