Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal - Premier League: Gunners hold on to secure vital victory in thriller

Well that's about that from us here at Mail Sport for today's North London Derby.

It was ecstasy for the Gunners, but heartbreak for the hosts Spurs as they suffered a second home defeat against their bitter rivals in as many games for the first time in 36 years.

Arsenal extend their lead at the top, while Tottenham take a blow in their bid for Champions League football.

For those of you who want to re-live the action, the link is below to Oliver Holt's Match Story, whil those wishing to stay up to date with the action over at the City Ground between Nottingham Forest and Man City, they can follow the link to that one below as well.

Thank you ever so much for joining us - have a great end to the weekend wherever you are!

Of course he will be more concerned by the result, but a decent day out for Romero on a personal level.

He has now scored more Premier League goals than any other defender in 2023-24.

Mind you, he did play most of the last 15 minutes as a second striker.

We've already seen just how impressive Bukayo Saka was in that thrilling tie, but he was somehow bettered by Kai Havertz.

Cristian Romero unsurprisingly leads the way for the hosts, but who had a game to forget after going missing in the clash?

Take a look at our Player Ratings below.

But there was nothing he could have done about the second goal for Spurs after Son put away a huge pressure penalty to make it a nervy ending...

There will be no happier man than David Raya right now after Arsenal managed to hold onto all three points on the road.

Here's how his moment of madness handed Tottenham and Cristian Romero a golden route back into the match

And here's how Kai Havertz made it 3-0 as his own purple patch continues to good effect for the Gunners, this their 16th goal from corners of the season.

It was then a bit of a double gut-punch for the hosts, who saw one chalked off for offside in narrow fashion, before Bukayo Saka scored an absolute belter to make it 2-0.

And speaking of goals, let's take a look at the five we got this afternoon!

Here's how the Gunners took the lead through somewhat fortuitous circumstances...

Always a hard one for the losing side to do the pitchside post-match interviews.

What are you supposed to say, in Son's defence? 'Yeah great game actually, obviously we lost, but really fun out there!'

As you'd expect, there's a lot of 'disappointment' for Son, who didn't half take his penalty well in the dying embers, but you can check out the Spurs skipper's comments in the clip below.

That's 16 - SIXTEEN - for the season from corners now from the Gunners.

That's 18 per cent of their goals in the league, with another six from set-pieces.

Here's Oliver Holt's Match Story from the sumptuous clashed we've just witnessed for those of you who are ready to re-live the action.

It may be a little too soon for some Tottenham fans, of course, but take a look at the link below for an in-depth breakdown of the action!

You know it was a big celebration when someone's hat has managed to find its way onto the pitch...

Hats off to the Gunners! Yep, I'll see myself out.

How's that for a stat, Gunners?

1988 is an awful long time ago - just goes to show that even in the Henry-Wenger-Invincible era anything can happen on derby day.

Thanks Harry!

There is indeed still plenty of reaction to come after another absolute thriller in this rivalry of rivalries.

Saka has now recorded 15 goals in the league this term - his best so far since erupting onto the scene.

You can decide for yourselves if he has had more of an impact than Micah Richards

I know the game has finished, but there is still one more substitution.

I am going to have to dash, but I am leaving you in the capable hands of another Mail Sport reporter, Dominic Hogan.

We will still have plenty more reaction coming your way.

This one slipped from under me.

The win was big enough anyway that I didn't even see this statistic, but Mikel Arteta has now won 100 Premier League wins as Arsenal manager.

Three more and they may be champions...

Bukayo Saka, Arsenal goalscorer, speaking to Sky Sports:

That last 20 minutes wasn’t nice but it was worth it. We know it’s a big derby and they don’t just want to lose 3-0 up. Once they got the goal the momentum was up but we fought to the end and got three points.

We just need to be calm. Everything is quite frantic. We showed our level heads at the end and I’m proud. We know what it means to the fans and what it means to us. Delighted. It means everything. We’ve got three to go, give it everything, and see where it leaves us.

On whether he will watch Man City:

Shower, get on the bus, put the game on, and hope for the best. City are an amazing team but they’re not perfect, no one is perfect. We’ve got experience now. We learned our lessons last year. We’re ready for the game.

We showed that today. Maybe last season that could have ended in a draw but today we showed the experience and we can get three points here even when the stakes are high. The most important thing to me is the trophy.

Wow, what a game that was.

The North London derby never disappoints, and once again it didn't today. I don't think the statistics do it justice.

It was a game of two halves, specifically for arsenal who were clinical in the first and had to show their resilience in the second.

Tottenham more than played their part today, you can see that by the possession and chances they had.

However, Arsenal held on for a crucial win.

That was a huge win for Arsenal and a historic one too.

It's the first time the Gunners have won consecutive top-flight away games against Spurs for the first time since September 1988 (a run of three under George Graham).

Before winning there in the last two seasons, they had only won two of their previous 17 away games against Spurs in the Premier League.

Massive result!

The let-off of celebrations from the arsenal staff just shows how big those three points were.

Last season, they crumbled in those scenarios when they were under the cosh. Today, they survived.

Incredible game, I'm gutted it's finished.

ARSENAL SURVIVE!

Heung-Min Son delivers a high cross to the back post, but no one can meet it, and Michael Oliver blows the whistle.

The Arsenal players run off in celebration, Mikel Arteta has a huge smile on his face. The relief is massive, as is the result.

The Gunners looked home and hosed after 60 minutes, but first, Cristian Romero and then Son set up a grandstand finish.

Tottenham huffed, and they puffed, but they cou;dn't find that last-minute equaliser.

Arsenal go four points clear, now over to you Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta is basically on the pitch.

It's all Spurs, free-kicks, corners, chances, but Arsenal are just about holding on.

They have two more minutes to survive.

Tottenham have six minutes of stoppage time to find an equaliser.

Can they do it, or can Arsenal hold on?

How have Arsenal not scored there?

Spurs somehow get the ball out of the danger area as the ball looked like it was about to hit the net.

That would have killed the game there and then.

Well then, Martin Odegaard is coming off.

Mikel Arteta is going the defensive route as Jakub Kiwior is sent on in his place.

Tottenham also make a change which is unsurprisingly more attacking. Giovani Lo Celso replaces Ben Davies.

What a penalty!

The comeback is on, Son Heung-Min smashes the ball into the top left corner, and David Raya has no chance.

I can't believe what is happening here, Spurs are on the cusp here.

Can Arsenal survive?

There we go, the easiest VAR check ever.

Spurs have been gifted another chance to get another goal back, Son Heung-Min is going to step up.

You can feel the nerves...

Oooooooo... should Tottenham have a penalty?

Ben Davies is kicked by Declan Rice but the referee says no, surely VAR is going to look at this. It is.

That has to be a penalty.

And another one.

This time it's Thomas Partey who goes into the book for halting a Tottenham counter-attack.

How many more will there be?

The cards are flowing now.

Ben Davies gets away with one naughty challenge on Bukayo Saka, but he does the very same thing within a minute and this time is shown a yellow card.

Michael Oliver is trying his best to not book people, but with challenges like that, he has no choice.

David Raya has recovered well from his major mess-up.

Tottenham are floating in lots of crosses, but every time Raya charges off his line to collect them with ease.

This time Brennan's Johnson's intended cross for Richarlison can't get over the Gunners keeper.

Just as I say that...

Michael Oliver has to give a booking there as Dejan Kulusevksi hauls down Gabriel Martinelli as he breaks away, and he does.

If he didn't do that, Martinelli was in.

Richarlison and Declan Rice have a coming together, but referee Michael Oliver keeps his cards in his pocket.

It's hard to believe, but there has still not been a single booking this afternoon. Very rare for this derby.

Cristian Romero is still venturing forward and he is causing problems.

The chaotic nature of the Tottenham side always makes games entertaining, doesn't it?

If they can get another, it's game on.

Arsenal just need to ride these next few minutes.

Richarlison and dejan Kulusevski are the driving force for Tottenham at the moment, but they aren't managing to break through the stubborn Gunners' defence.

Arsenal's reaction to conceding has been fairly strong.

The momentum has completely switched.

The goal has sparked the stadium back to life, they suddenly believe again and so do the players.

If they manage to get something from this, it will be one of the all-time great comebacks.

Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender, speaking on Sky Sports:

What the hell are you doing, Romero? He’s centre-back! There is an element of madness to Romero but it pays off. It’s one of Spurs’ best chances and he finishes it well.

David Raya, oh dear, left foot, trying to be clever. Three-nil up, don’t let them back in it. Now, there’s a fire coming his way.

What are you doing David Raya???

The Arsenal goalkeeper has just gifted Spurs some hope as he passes the ball straight to Cristian Romero, who just sends the ball back past him.

I'm not sure why Romero was there, but at the fourth attempt, he gets his goal.

Surely, Spurs can't come back?

Substitutions from both sides.

Leandro Trossard is off for Arsenal with Gabriel Martinelli on in his place.

For Tottenham, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison are on to replace Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

James Maddison is down holding his face after marking Takehiro Tomiyasu from a corner.

I don't know why though, there was basically no contact. The referee agrees and we just get on with it.

You can't deny that Tottenham's build-up play has been brilliant at times today, but their finishing has been poor.

After a long passing move, Pedro Porro decides to have a go from distance - I don't know why - and it flies miles wide.

There is a collective sigh from the stadium...

Wow, that is a fantastic save from Guglielmo Vicario!

Bukayo Saka gets on the end of Kai Havertz's low cross, and you think it's going to be 4-0. Even my colleague sat next to me said 'goal' as Saka pulled the trigger.

However, Vicario does exceptionally well to get down low and turn his effort around for a corner.

For once, Spurs clear the set-piece that followed.

Cristian Romero once again plants a header over the bar.

I did not expect the Argentine defender to get so many chances, but once again he gets his head on the end of a cross from close range.

He should have scored at least one of his chances, but I guess he is a defender.

It just won't go in for the hosts.

I forgot to mention that Pape Sarr has come on at the break for Tottenham.

Rodrigo Bentancur is the player to make way. They did need to make a change, I guess we will see if it makes a difference!

Nearly a fourth for Arsenal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu gets on the end of a swinging free-kick, but as he stoops to head the ball he stumbles and heads it over the bar.

I can't believe how much space Tomiyasu was in, Tottenham just don't learn, do they?

Right, we are back underway in North London.

The stadium is practically empty, I hope that is because of the half-time rush and the fans haven't actually left.

You never know, though.

Roy Keane, former Manchester United captain, on Sky Sports:

Arsenal have been excellent. Spurs have dominated possession but Arsenal are very much in control of the game. We said the importance of set pieces, obviously the counter-attack for the second goal.

Spurs haven’t shown enough courage, particularly in the first 15 minutes when they got in good positions to put the ball in there.

But defensively, set pieces, and the goalkeeper certainly has to do better, has got to dominate that six-yard box better.

Wow, these statistics are crazy.

Arsenal have only had four shots, with just two on target, but are leading 3-0.

Oliver is certainly right, Tottenham can feel hard done by a little there.

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

Ange Postecoglou is being lambasted online for naivety but Spurs can feel rather unlucky to be going in at half-time 3-0 down. The width of a post and a tight offside are the difference between them maybe being level and staring down the barrel of a beating.

Spurs are, though, culpable for some poor defending and Arsenal have been breathtaking on the counter-attack. It looks as if the title race is heading down to the wire.

This is not the only fixture in the Premier League today.

On the south coast, Bournemouth's incredible campaign is continuing as they lead Brighton 1-0 at the break thanks to Marcos Senesi.

The Seagulls just can't buy a win at the moment...

I didn't have time to mention it at the time, but Bukayo Saka's goal was a huge one for him.

Not only is he the first English player to score 15 goals in a Premier League season in 27 years, but he is also the first English Arsenal player to score in both the home and away north London derbies in a season since Ian Wright, 30 years ago.

What a lovely goal it was too.

Breathless... that's how I'd explain that half of football.

Arsenal were clinical, and Tottenham were not, this is the difference between the two sides at the break.

You could say Spurs have played the better football, but the Gunners have punished them with their set-piece prowess and counter-attacking speed.

If this ends up as anything other than three points to Arsenal, a miracle would have taken place.

That 45 minutes could not have gone any better for Mike Arteta.

Tottenham aren't lying down without a fight.

Mickey Van de Ven brings out a lovely roulette to open up some space for the cross, which Brennan Johnson tries to turn home twice, but it flies over the bar.

That would have been lovely.

Can Spurs pull on back before half-time?

If they do that would give them some hope, but if not, the game is pretty much done.

Oh, Son Heung-Min... Spurs should have a goal back.

The Tottenham captain is sent through over the top between Gabriel and William Saliba, but he nearly sends his strike out of the stadium.

You just expected Son to do better, as he normally does, but he didn't show his usual composure there.

That's just the game Spurs are having.

I think Tottenham have now just thrown defending out the window.

that's a worry because Arsenal can just sit back and hit them on the counter-attack over, and over, again.

They need some discipline here.

Game, set, and match!

That was just way too easy. Declan Rce swings in a lovely corner and Kai Havertz just nods it in from less than six yards out.

That's the game already you'd have to think. Imagine what Arsenal could do if they were actually playing well.

This could get messy.

The atmosphere has gone completely flat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That Bukayo Saka goal seems to have taken the sting out of the Spurs side and the crowd along with it.

Arsenal haven't been at their best, but they lead and that is what Champions do...

Martin Odegaard survives his scare, but Timo Werner doesn't.

The German attacker can't continue, Brennan Johnson replaces him off the bench.

Back to the chaotic action we go!

What a mad few minutes of football.

For one moment the hosts think they are level, and within a few minutes, they are two behind.

This derby has been relentless but we now have a break in play as Timo Werner and Martin Odegaard are both down injured.

Bukayo Saka makes Spurs pay!

From one end to the other in a flash, Saka finishes the move off with aplomb.

At one end, Spurs think they should have a penalty as both Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison go down, but Arsenal continue.

Saka is then sent through, cuts inside on Ben Davies, and bends the ball into the far bottom corner.

It's a real sucker punch for Spurs who have been on top.

Mickey Van de Ven's smile has turned to a more stern look.

It was tight, but he was offside. Even Gabriel's bottom sticking out could not save him.

Tottenham have to get back on the front foot again. Arsenal have been let off the hook.

Tottenham are level!

It's Mickey Van de Ven who smashes Spurs back on terms after Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's shot is deflected through to him.

However, is he offside, I think he is... VAR is checking.

Now Cristian Romero hits the post, he has to score!

The defender jumps above Thomas Partey at the back post to meet a James Maddison free-kick, but his header smashes back off the woodwork.

He should score, I thought he was going to. Romero could have had two in a matter of minutes, but he has none.

Cristian Romero nearly hits straight back!

The Argentine defender throws Martin Odegaard to the flow and meets the Spurs corner, but his header flashes wide.

That was very close, but would it have been called back for a foul if it had gone in?

I guess we will never know.

The goal means that Tottenham have now gone 13 games without a clean sheet at home.

They had started the game well, but have presented Arsenal with a gift just like they did last season.

Arsenal hit the front!

What did I say again? Arsenal may not have started well, but they have taken the lead in the North London derby.

The Gunners are the kings of the set-piece and they score from one again as Bukayo Saka's corner is headed into his own net by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

It's a great header, just as the wrong end...

Kai Havertz puts the ball in the net, but the flag is already up.

Weren't used to seeing the flag go up so quickly, they usually wait just in case, but not this time.

Martin Odegaard was offside in the end, so it's the correct decision.

Spurs have started really brightly.

Arsenal can't seem to get the ball clear and Spurs win the ball back before James Maddison sends a strike over the bar from distance.

This is not an Arsenal performance we have become accustomed to of late, not at the races yet.

Thomas Partey goes down just outside the box and wins a free-kick, the Spurs players and fans aren't happy about it.

However, the free-kick is fired straight into the wall by Leandro Trossard and the crowd are cheering again.

We've had our first shot, well, I guess the term shot is debatable.

Timo Werner drives down the lefthand side and fires an effort straight into the gloves of David Raya.

In all honesty, it may have been just a poor cross, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

That was very unlike Arsenal.

Thomas Partey has the ball nicked from his toes by Rodrigo Bentancur and Spurs are on their way.

Luckily for Partey, his teammates bail him out, but that was not a good moment for him.

Spurs have started the brighter of the two sides.

Sami Mokbel, Mail Sport, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

An electric atmosphere here in North London today. Huge stakes, for both clubs. Already a thunderous and full-bloodied start. One of those days when you have to play the game, not the occasion.

It's already a little feisty.

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Dejan Kulusevski battle for the ball and there are a few afters.

The Tottenham crowd responds as they think Tomiyasu was a little too rough on their winger.

This could be one of those matches.

The Tottenham fans belt out 'Oh when the Spurs go marching in', I can tell you that it is very loud inside the ground.

Right, now the ball is rolling as Tottenham get the 195th north London derby underway.

A huge 90 minutes ahead!

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

From a Tottenham perspective, a glance at the teams from this fixture in January last year illustrates the revolution taking place under Ange Postecoglou. Only four starting today who started last season… Romero, Hojbjerg, Son and Kulusevski.

The Tottenham Hotspur stadium is bouncing.

The Spurs fans roar as the two teams arise from the tunnel, they are certainly up for this one.

The music is getting me pumped up, let alone the players, but it is then ruined by the Premier League anthem... which you know I dislike.

Maisie, London: I have a sneaky feeling Tottenham may win this match...

Trevor, UK: Pretty obvious that Arsenal will win this, I'm going for 4-1.

Now we are nearing 2pm, I think it's time for some predictions.

Arsenal are the favourites, they are on fire at the moment, but Spurs on their day can cause anybody problems.

I think this could end up two apiece again, what do you all think?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boss, speking to Sky Sports:

Against a very strong opponent in a very difficult ground. This is where we have to stand up and make it happen. The quality of the opponent, how tough it is to win in any ground, how difficult it is to win. We know that. We’re in a good moment and in rhythm. We had a few games to prepare. There’s a lot at stake and we’re ready.

On Thomas Partey starting again:

He’s a very important player for us. We have missed him for many months. He’s in great shape, his presence, his quality, physicality, experience. He’s a very important player for us. It’s a must-win and it’s been like that for many months now.

Is anyone else as excited as I am right now?

The two teams are just finishing off their warm-ups. I wonder how they are feeling, this is when the nerves and anticipation reach their peak.

The players will be itching to get going.

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium:

It's no surprise Arsenal are unchanged after their drubbing of Chelsea on Tuesday night. They were superb in every department at The Emirates but then a lot of teams have discovered that Chelsea are adept at making other teams look good this season.

Spurs will be tougher but we are at the stage of the season where only a win will do for the visitors. Anything else and it will be hard to escape the conclusion the title will be heading to Manchester City again.

The difference between Spurs' and Arsenal's defences is startling.

Arsenal sit top of the pile in terms of clean sheets this season, with 16. They could also become only the third team to record seven successive away clean sheets with another today.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have not managed a clean sheet in their last 12 Premier League home games. In fact, they have only kept two at home all season, the third-worst record in the league.

This could be key in terms of today's match.

It's not just Arsenal who have something to fight for.

As already mentioned, Spurs are embroiled in a tussle with Aston Villa for a place in the Champions League next season.

With Villa losing yesterday, Spurs' destiny is now in their own hands. Win all their games in hand, they go above Villa.

They are some very tough matches though, starting today.

Liverpool may be in this graphic, but we may as well rule them out of the title race.

There are only two horses left in the race as far as I am concerned, Arsenal and Manchester City.

If the Gunners win today, they will go four points clear, but with two games in hand. They simply have to win.

Manchester City face Nottingham Forest at 4.30pm, it's a massive day in the context of the title race.

This may all look very different in just a few hours time.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking to Sky Sports:

Very good opponent, but it is something we need to embrace. We rely on the stuff that has been good for us this year. We will try to get the crowd behind us and we will make it difficult.

If you want to be a club that is challenging for stuff this time of the year then all the games are going to be big, ultimately the reason why you're a footballer is to play in big games, it is certainly one of those.

Son Heung-Min, what a player.

The Tottenham captain has been a star at the front for Spurs for many years, and boy does he love a game against Arsenal.

Son has netted seven goals in the north London derby and only five players have netted more in all competitions in the fixture's history.

He will be hoping to add some more today.

Roy Keane, former Manchester United captain, on Sky Sports:

The pressure is on Arsenal to keep winning, but that's what it takes to win titles. They've got to keep that momentum going.

They have recovered well from their setback against Aston Villa, but with (Manchester) City behind you, they have to keep winning.

These two have been the key to Arsenal's success this campaign.

Martin Odegaard has shown why he is the Arsenal captain and has even been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League away games, scoring and assisting three each.

Meanwhile, if Bukayo Saka gets on the scoresheet, he will become the first English Arsenal player to score in both the home and away fixtures against Spurs in a league fixture since Ian Wright, 30 years ago.

Both players will have a major part to play today.

I was right, no changes from Mikel Arteta.

This side did rather well when they thumped Chelsea 5-0 in midweek, so nobody was expecting any changes.

Can they produce another masterful performance today?

Ange Postecoglou has named his first starting 11 in 15 days.

The Tottenham boss has made three changes from the side that was humbled 4-0 by Newcastle just over two weeks ago.

Ben Davies, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Dejan Kulusevski all come into the fray.

Richarlison returns to the bench.

Here they are!

Arsenal have arrived at the home of their biggest enemies ready for the big afternoon in front of them.

Team news is just a matter of minutes away, which 11 will Mike Arteta field today.

Surely, he won't make any changes, will he?

Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender, on Sky Sports:

It's a must (win for Arsenal). You look at what (Manchester) City are doing, they (Arsenal) put some pressure on them in midweek, and then City go to Brighton and do what they do.

You've just got to make sure that City go into that Nottingham Forest game knowing and feeling they have to win. They get let off the hook if Arsenal get beat here today. But, that's a tough ask.

Tottenham will be wearing a special warm-up shirt today.

The club's shirt will adorn a sign from Noah's Ark Hospice, their official charity partner.

A lovely gesture.

More of this, please?

These two sides served us up a cracker back in September, with Tottenham coming from behind twice to deny Arsenal all three points at the Emirates.

It was the North London derby at its very best and I have a sneaky feeling it could be a very similar game today.

Let's hope it is!

Tottenham fans, I want to hear from all of you!

Obviously, today's result will either harm or boost the chances of both of these happening, so I guess this question is more relevant for other games.

But anyway, would you rather see your side make the top four, but Arsenal win the league, or you the Gunners finish second and you miss out on the Champions League?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

You can tell it's a big game when there are already fans in the ground.

The atmosphere is building outside of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and some fans are starting to trickle inside.

The atmosphere is going to be electric today, both in the home and the away end.

I can't wait!

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham boss, speaking on Friday:

It's just about making sure you embrace the challenge and try to tackle it in the way that got us into this position in the first place. From our perspective, we've had some inconsistencies and challenges this year, but when we've played well, we've played a certain way and gone about things in a certain way.

There's no point now when you get to the most important part of the year to shy away from that or change your approach. You've got to double down on it and focus on playing our football. That's a great measure for us because otherwise, you'll never know where you're short or whether you can be successful in doing it our way.

I bet Arsenal fans will start beaming when they read this post.

The Gunners' last trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was certainly a memorable one as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

They took the lead within 15 minutes through a calamitous own goal from Hugo Lloris before Martin Odegaard netted a fantastic goal to secure a superb derby day win.

Today Arsenal have the chance to win consecutive league games at Spurs for the first time since 1988. If they play anything like they did in January last year, they will most likely achieve the feat.

This is a very different Spurs side to the one from last year, mind.

The Tottenham players arrived very early.

You know it's a big game when the players arrive in suits rather than the usual tracksuits.

The players are looking fairly relaxed, however, those smiles will soon be gone when they walk out onto the pitch. They will come back if they score, though.

A big afternoon in store.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, speaking on Friday:

More motivation (to win a derby), if anything, because you know what you can give to people, which is a lot of joy and happiness if we manage to win the game. When you have the chance to do that and it’s in your hands, you really want to make the most of it to try and make it happen.

We know about the rivalry, but I think you have to put that aside, you have to live the game with the intensity and passion that it demands. On top of that, we know what we are playing for so I don't think we need anything special because the game has got everything that you need as a player to go and enjoy it.

When these two sides meet, it’s normally the hosts that end the day with a smile on their faces.

Arsenal have only won two of their last 15 Premier League visits to Tottenham, however, one of those did come in this fixture last season.

The Gunners have also never in their entire history kept back-to-back clean sheets away at their bitter rivals.

You know what that means, we should expect goals.

Today’s match is huge, and even saying that is an understatement.

Both sides have so much on the line. Arsenal are in the midst of a title tussle with champions Manchester City.

The Gunners will be desperate not to suffer the fate of Liverpool, who have fallen at the final few fences, in what was a three-horse race.

Mix all that in with the fact that they face their bitter rivals Tottenham, and I think it would be fair to say this is their biggest match of the season. It certainly feels it anyway.

Spurs have a lot at stake as well. Ange Postecoglou’s side are still embroiled in a battle with Aston Villa for a spot in the four. They might sit seven points behind the Villans, but they do have three games in hand.

Pair that with their burning desire to ruin Arsenal’s title charge, then three points today would be a positive double whammy for them.

Writing all of that now has me fired up, so imagine how the players are feeling…

Did somebody say derby day?

Oh, it’s a big one today, huge in fact, it’s perhaps the biggest north London derby in 20 years. The implications of today’s result will massively affect both sides' seasons.

Arsenal are still more than in the hunt for their first Premier League title and a win today would put them four points clear of Man City, at least for a couple of hours.

Meanwhile, Tottenham would love to be the side that derails their bitter rivals title dreams, just like Everton did to Liverpool in midweek.

I bet the nerves have been jangling all weekend for both sets of supporters, this match means more than any other in their calendar. Now we are just two hours away from kick-off.

I for one cannot wait to see what happens in north London today and I’d put my money on that all of you are feeling the same.

So, with that in mind, let’s get cracking!