Post by Taxigirl on Nov 7, 2003 10:08:21 GMT
Highbury
Saturday, 8 November
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Referee:
Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
BIG-MATCH FACTS
ARSENAL and Tottenham meet for the 133rd North London League derby, with the table topping Gunners defending the only unbeaten record in the English professional Leagues.
Arsenal have the opportunity to increase their lead at the summit to four points, being the only top three club in action on Saturday. Arsene Wenger's side, who've accrued more points after the first 11 games than ever before in the Premiership, are already 12 places and 15 points better off than their North London rivals.
Arsenal have not been beaten in eight League and Cup meetings with THFC and are vying for a fifth successive home Premier League maximum over them. They will also be buoyed by Wednesday's late, late victory over Dynamo Kiev which maintains their interest in the Champions League.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR go to Highbury looking to get back on track after last Saturday's 0-1 home loss to Bolton - their first defeat in seven games under David Pleat.
THFC have not won in ten League visits to their arch rivals. Indeed the only time they bagged all three points in 18 trips was the initial Highbury Premiership fixture when they won 1-3 on 11 May 1993.
Ten of the previous 22 Premiership clashes between these clubs were drawn.
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SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
ARSENAL
1st 27 points
Highest achievable at the final whistle: STAY TOP
Lowest could fall: 1st
One of three clubs to have won eight Premiership matches. The others are Chelsea and Manchester United.
Hold the joint highest points per game average in home top flight games with Chelsea at two point six.
One of three clubs to have scored in all but one of their Premiership outings. The others are Chelsea and Fulham.
Boast the strongest attack in the top division with 23 goals from 11 games.
Won ten and drawn three in the highest League since losing 2-3 at home to Leeds on 4 May last season.
Aiming for a third successive home League victory.
Claimed exactly 800 all-time Premiership points.
Three short of conceding 400 goals in away Premier League matches.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
12th 12 points
Highest achievable at the final whistle: 11th
Lowest could fall: 16th
Undefeated in three away matches.
Gone five games since experiencing back to back Premiership defeats.
Not registered a score draw in 16 League encounters.
The away match at Chelsea and home clash with Everton are the only top flight games in which THFC have opened the scoring.
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POTENTIAL CAREER MILESTONES
ARSENAL
Thierry HENRY is the Premiership's leading scorer with ten goals.
HENRY has only scored three Premier League goals against Tottenham, but all three were netted at Highbury.
If involved, Sol CAMPBELL will face his former club.
If he takes goal, Jens LEHMANN will be playing two days before his 34th birthday.
Sylvain WILTORD is a double strike away from scoring 50 goals for Arsenal.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
If he participates, Rohan RICKETTS will be playing against his former club.
Should he figure, Gary DOHERTY will be making his 50th Premiership appearance for Tottenham.
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LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Arsenal 3-0 Tottenham Hotpur
16 November 2002 - Ref: Mike Riley
Arsenal scorers: Henry 13, Ljungberg 55, Wiltord 71
Sent Off: Davies (THFC) 27
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HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Arsenal 53 wins, THFC 45, Draws 34
Prem: Arsenal 7 wins, THFC 5, Draws 10
HEAD TO HEAD at Arsenal
League: Arsenal 32 wins, THFC 17, Draws 17
Prem: Arsenal 5 wins, THFC 1, Draws 5
