Arsenal v Tottenham

Tottenham Skipper - Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane made a bold statement- that Tottenham have a squad that is at least the equal of Arsenal’s. Tottenham have not defeated Arsenal in almost a decade, a run of 19 matches without a win.

Last season Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4

Interesting Facts

• Tottenham have not beaten the hosts in the Premier League since November 1999 and have not won a league encounter at Arsenal since May 1993

• Arsenal have conceded 13 goals so far this season, their worst ever defensive record in the Premier League after nine matches

• David Bentley has not scored a league goal since opening the scoring for Tottenham against his old club in this fixture last season

• If the hosts win this match they will claim their 1,000th Premier League point with Arsène Wenger as manager

Arsenal’s Manuel Almunia could be set for a recall to the starting line-up for the derby with Tottenham. Several changes will be made from the young side who beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Lukasz Fabianski (thigh), Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott (both knee) miss out. Samir Nasri is likely to be on the bench tomorrow, he had earlier started in the mid-week League Cup clash against Liverpool after recovering from a broken leg.

Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe serves the final part of his three-match suspension and will miss the match. Aaron Lennon (ankle), Giovani dos Santos (ankle) and Luka Modric (fractured leg) are also out but Peter Crouch has recovered from a groin problem. Carlo Cudicini (knee) and centre-backs Jonathan Woodgate (head) and Ledley King (illness) should be available and Niko Kranjcar is back after being cup-tied.

Arsenal (possible team): Mannone, Clichy, Gallas, Vermaelen, Sagna, Eboué, Song, Fábregas, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Almunia, Eduardo, Vela, Gibbs, Silvestre, Wilshere, Ramsey, Bendtner.

Tottenham (possible team) : Gomes, Cudicini, Button, Hutton, Naughton, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Bale, Woodgate, King, Bassong, Dawson, Huddlestone, Jenas, Palacios, Kranjcar, Bentley, Keane, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko.