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Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this evening, with plenty more than just three points up for grabs in this north London derby.
The Gunners have endured a week to forget having exited the FA Cup and lost 2-0 in the home leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, but Mikel Arteta’s side aren’t out of the title race yet. They will need to be nearly flawless for the rest of the season if they are to catch Liverpool, and that starts tonight against a Spurs side languishing in 11th in the table.
Arteta must juggle absentees, including to Gabriel Jesus who is absent after suffering an ACL injury, and dipping form if the Gunners hope to triumphant this evening.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s team has been struggling in the league in recent weeks, and though injuries have played their part as well, the Australian is still facing questions that will only intensify if Spurs were to lose tonight.
Follow all the Premier League action from the Emirates below:
Spurs on a shocking run
Tottenham’s only win in their past eight league matches was 5-0 at bottom side Southampton. They also recorded two draws, five defeats in that run.
Since the start of December, only Leicester and Southampton have earned fewer points than the five by Spurs. However, Tottenham have kept back-to-back clean sheets in all competitions for only the second time this season so there maybe signs of a turnaround.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 19:20
Arteta demands ‘best atmosphere ever’ at Arsenal for north London derby
Mikel Arteta has demanded that Arsenal supporters create the most hostile atmosphere ever seen inside the Emirates Stadium for his side’s pivotal north London derby against Tottenham on Wednesday.
The Gunners will welcome their arch-rivals to the Emirates off the back of two consecutive home defeats – against Newcastle in the opening leg of their semi-final Carabao Cup tie and an FA Cup third-round penalty shootout exit at the hands of Manchester United – which leaves their season hanging in the balance.
A number of disgruntled supporters were seen immediately heading for the exit after Johsua Zirkzee struck the winning spot-kick for United. There were also swathes of empty seats long before the final whistle of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat by the Magpies just five days earlier.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 19:15
Fortress Emirates
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 league matches at the Emirates (nine wins, three draws) and are the only side yet to lose at home in the top flight this season.
They are aiming to keep a clean sheet in five straight home league games for the first time since December 2013 to February 2014 and can complete a Premier League double over Tottenham for the fifth time.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 19:10
Tottenham’s terrible record
Spurs have won just two of their 32 Premier League away fixtures against Arsenal (12 drawa, 18 defeats), and none of the last 13 since a 3-2 victory in November 2010.
Ange Postecoglou’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in 25 away league games against the Gunners since a 0-0 draw in November 1998 when Espen Baardsen was in goal for the visitors.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 19:05
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Arsenal have won six of their last eight league games against Tottenham with one draw and one defeat in that run. The Gunners could win three consecutive top-flight north London derbies for the first time since a run of five from 1987 to 1989.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 19:00
Dominic Solanke has exceeded expectations – with more to come
Ange Postecoglou has lavished praise on Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke for exceeding his expectations, but does feel more is to come from the £65million signing.
Solanke was linked with a move to Arsenal during 2024 but joined Spurs in August and has scored 11 times for his new club.
The ex-Bournemouth striker has also provided six assists and quickly become an integral figure, especially during an injury-ravaged period where his contributions have kept Postecoglou’s men on track for cup success despite inconsistent Premier League form.
Mike Jones15 January 2025 18:55
Tottenham line-up versus Arsenal
Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son
Mike Jones15 January 2025 18:48
Arsenal line-up vs Tottenham
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Sterling, Havertz, Trossard
Mike Jones15 January 2025 18:46
Postecoglou issues injury update after Tamworth win
Tottenham edged through their FA Cup third round tie with a 3-0 victory over Tamworth but needed extra-time to secure the goals they required to win the game.
Speaking yesterday, Ange Postecoglou provided an update on the toll that match took on his players saying: “It takes a fair bit out of the players, so we’ve had to do some extra recovery and we won’t train until this afternoon to give the boys a chance to recover.
“The only one who picked up an injury was Timo (Werner). He picked up a hamstring injury and we are waiting on the results of that scan. Everyone else, apart from being sore, pulled through okay. In terms of incoming, Richarlison is available.”
Mike Jones15 January 2025 18:40
‘We have to start winning games’
Over on the Spurs side of things Ange Postecoglou says he is well aware of what the north London derby means to the club and the fans and hopes to impress them tonight.
The Tottenham boss spoke before the game saying: “I felt [the derby] was intense from the moment I arrived but at the same time I’ve never tried to be disingenuous about this stuff and say ‘this means the world to me’ when I’ve literally just arrived.
“But you get the context of the game and what it means to the club and supporters and what it means for our season.
“It’s like being up in Glasgow, you’re well aware of what it means and the ramifications of both the positive and negative. I’ve been on it for the first game.
“This year is as big as they ever come, especially for us and our season. We have to start winning games in the league and this is no better place to start.”
Mike Jones15 January 2025 18:35
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