The North London derby is without doubt one of the biggest games in the football calendar. Whereas in previous years Arsenal fans were certain of a result, Spurs’ turn of fortunes in recent seasons has seen this fixture take extra meaning.

Recent Meetings

North London derbies are notoriously high-scoring edge-of-the-seat thrillers, with previous matches ending 4-5, 4-4 and 5-2. However, the derby can also become a cagey affair, with both sides too set on not losing the game rather than winning, though with 53 goals in the past 11 fixtures between these teams, it would appear unlikely to repeat itself.

Arsenal have had the better of the two sides in recent North London derbies, with the previous two results ending in 5-2 victories for the Gunners. However, it hasn’t been all plain sailing for the Gunners in recent seasons. In the last five meetings between the two at White Hart Lane, Arsenal have only one once compared to Spurs’ two victories, with the other two ending in draws, while the last 10 league matches have seen Arsenal edge it with 4 wins over Spurs’ 3 wins.

Recent Form

Both sides are on excellent form of late in the league, with both teams unbeaten in their last 5 games.

Arsenal: WDWWW

Tottenham: DDWWW

Statistics

These fixtures can often be messy affairs, as in the last three North London derbies there have been over 75 fouls with 13 yellow and 2 red cards

In the last three meeting between the sides, the team that has scored first has gone on to lose the match

In the Premier league there have been 121 goals in the North London derby, making it the highest scoring fixture in Premier league history

Adebayor also holds the record for most goals by a player in the North London derby with 10, 8 for Arsenal and 2 for Tottenham

Arsenal have finished higher in the league than Spurs in 63 seasons out of 93 (68 per cent)

The last time Arsenal won at White Hart Lane in the league was 3-1 in September 2007. The referee was Mark Clattenburg, who is referee for the fixture this weekend

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