Match of the week - Arsenal v Spurs December 21 2007
There are few rivalries as bitter as the North London derby. Spurs have spent decades in the shadow of their most hated enemy, a situation that has been compounded in the decade or so since the arrival of Arsenal Wenger.
Before the Frenchman's arrival the fact that the Gunners were known for their dour, defensive football while Spurs traded in expansive, entertaining fare, offered a balm to the Spurs fans' bruised egos. The Wenger era has put an end to this last vestige of hope for the Tottenham army.
Saturday's match finds the sides in vastly differing situations. Arsenal top the league, having emerged as the main challengers to Manchester United following a couple of relatively dry years trophy wise. Spurs were tipped to supplant the Gunners in the top four during pre-season. Since then they have jettisoned their most succesful manager in decades, Martin Jol, and replaced hime with Juande Ramos.
The Spaniard looks to be facilitating a turnaround in Spurs' fortunes, but a top four finish is now no more than a pipe dream. This game carries massive importance for both sides. Arsenal cannot afford to drop any points as they aim to keep pace with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, while a derby win at the Emirates will be of immeasurable psychological importance to Tottenham.
It's all set up to be an absolute humdinger then.
Arsenal key man: Cesc Fabregas
The Spanish wunderkind is enjoying a fantastic season, having added goals to his array of defence splitting passes and ability to dictate the game from midfield. Alongside Alexandr Hleb he forms a formidable midfield partnership that few teams have been able to deal with. With Spurs suffering from a commonly perceived weakness in midfield, Fabregas could prove to be the catalyst to yet another Gunners win.
Tottenham key man: Dimitar Berbatov
The Bulgarian striker is one of the most coveted players in the Premier League. Equally comfortable at holding the ball up and creatively setting up his strike partners as he is scoring goals, he could prove invaluable as Spurs seek to continue a two-match winning streak.
Recent form - Arsenal: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0, Newcastle 1 Arsenal 1, Middlesbrough 2 Arsenal 1
Recent form - Tottenham: Portsmouth 0 Tottenham 1, Tottenham 2 Manchester City 1, Tottenham 2 Birmingham 3
Prediction: Arsenal won the corresponding fixture last season 3-0 and it would take a brave man to bet against them gaining another three points on Saturday. Spurs will realistically be looking to earn a draw but their defence has been woeful this season. They seem to have no trouble scoring goals, but tend to concede even more.
Against an Arsenal attack firing on all cylinders they could be in for a humiliating afternoon. One thing is for sure, there is absolutely no way this will end in a goalless draw.
Score: Arsenal 4 Spurs 1