Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal let a one-nil lead slip at home to Southampton on Tuesday night after bowing out of the League Cup as Southampton stunned the Gunners with a sensational 2-1 comeback victory.

Besides leaders Chelsea, Arsenal are the only other Premier League side yet to taste defeat this season, although Arsene Wenger’s men have only toasted victory twice this season meaning they currently occupy fourth spot.

Just four miles north of the Emirates, Tottenham Hotspur progressed into the fourth round of the League Cup on Wednesday night after coming from behind to defeat Championship leaders Nottingham Forest 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have slipped dangerously off the pace in the Premier League despite winning their opening two league games, losing twice against Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion and drawing 2-2 with Sunderland to leave Spurs down in ninth.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Tottenham Hotspur 0 Arsenal 1 (Rosicky), Premier League, March 2014

Arsenal 2 (Cazorla, Rosicky) Tottenham Hotspur 0, FA Cup, January 2014

Arsenal 1 (Giroud) Tottenham Hotspur 0, Premier League, September 2013

Mauricio Pochettino wants to emulate the impact made by his local rival Arsène Wenger (Getty Images)

STATS…

Arsenal are one of two clubs in the Premier League who have remained unbeaten during their opening five league games, only leaders Chelsea are also yet to taste defeat.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Nacer Chadli has scored three goals in just four Premier League appearances so far this season, making him the league’s joint third top goalscorer.

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has scored four goals in his last five appearances for the Gunners in all competitions since joining from FC Barcelona.

Tottenham Hotspur have only once in their last 23 visits to the Emirates Stadium, a 3-2 victory in November 2010.

Arsenal have won 21 of the last 33 North London derby’s with Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, including the last four in a row.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has failed to register a win as a manager against the Gunners since coming to the Premier League with Southampton, taking just one point off the Gunners from a possible six.

Saturday’s fixture will be the 174 North London derby between the two rivals.

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has scored three goals in his last four appearances for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has scored twice in his last five appearances against his former club Arsenal.

ODDS…

Arsenal to win: 1.72

Tottenham Hotspur to win: 4.6

Draw: 3.8

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

Arsenal closed the gap to seven points behind their North London rivals after a spectacular 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on 26 February 2012.

Louis Saha gave Spurs a fourth minute lead before former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor doubled the visitors’ lead on 34 minutes from the penalty spot.

But in truly magical fashion, Arsene Wenger’s side roared back to snatch the bragging rights in this feisty derby, with Bacary Sagna and Robin van Persie both netting for the Gunners shortly before half-time.

Further goals from Tomas Rosicky and a brace from Theo Walcott sealed a magnificent comeback from Arsenal, with Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker being sent off in the final stages for extra measure.

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 5.30pm, highlights on BBC 1 from 10.30pm on Saturday.