Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal: Five talking points ahead of Sunday's north London derby at White Hart Lane

 

James Orr
Friday 14 March 2014 14:03 EDT
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Robert Pires scores from the penalty spot against Tottenham in December 2002
Robert Pires scores from the penalty spot against Tottenham in December 2002 (GETTY IMAGES)

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Goals, goals, goals

There have been 125 goals scored in this fixture. In the Premier League era - what some will have you believe is when football began - there have only been more goals in Liverpool-Newcastle (126). In fact, in the last five matches between the teams in the division, there have been 4.4 goals a game. Expect fireworks...

Home comforts?

While Arsenal have won the last two meetings between the teams in all competitions, both of these games have taken place at the Emirates Stadium. At White Hart Lane in the Premier League, however, it has become a different matter altogether. Tottenham are unbeaten in their last five home league matches against the Gunners, including winning three of the last four 2-1, since a 3-1 defeat in September 2007. On that day Gareth Bale opened the scoring for Spurs, before Emmanuel Adebayor hit two, either side of a Cesc Fabregas effort.

Will the hex of the top four strike again?

The top four, an elite group that Spurs have been trying to get back in to. This season, however, they have more than struggled against the sides currently occupying the Champions League places. In their last last four matches against the teams they have lost them all, conceding 21, and scoring just one in return.

Will the vast experience of Wenger prevail?

Arsene Wenger will take charge of his 999th match as Arsenal manager on Sunday. That's 981 more than Tim Sherwood has in charge at Tottenham, and Wenger still has a higher win percentage than Sherwood - 57% for Wenger, winning 571, while Sherwood has won exactly 50% of his games at Spurs.

But Emmanuel Adebayor will score again, surely?

Hated by the Gunners' supporters, (sometimes) loved by the Tottenham faithful, but a record breaker in the north London derby. In this fixture in the Premier League, the Togo target-man has scored eight goals, more than any other player. Robert Pires has scored the second most with seven.

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