Preview: Arsenal vs Spurs

Juande Ramos' first North London derby is sure to be a tumultuous affair with Tottenham keen on nicking a point at least at the Emirates in the Saturday early afternoon tie. Eight years without a win against the Gunners shows the dominance Arsenal have against their rivals.

In their previous 599 league games, Arsenal have won 320 and claimed 1,121 points; Tottenham have 216 matches. Tottenham are going to struggle against a side that have only dropped 11 points this season.

Suspensions and Injuries

The Gunners are without attacker Theo Walcott (flu). But winger Emmanuel Eboue is in the squad as his injury, which saw the Ivory Coast international stretchered off in last weekend’s win against Chelsea, is not serious.

Spurs striker Robbie Keane is back after completing his three-match ban but midfielder Didier Zokora starts a three-match ban after having been shown a straight red card in the Carling Cup win at Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Wenger praises Berbatov

"His intelligence, his technique, the quality of his movement as well.

"I've known him from a long time, from his time at Bayer Leverkusen, but we had Thierry Henry, Adebayor, we had young strikers who are coming in now. But Berbatov is one of the better ones in the Premier League.

"It looks like, especially in the last few games, that when he plays well so do Spurs. The quality of their performance is linked with the gain in form of Berbatov.

"But we won't be looking at him especially. We play zonal marking, as you know. When you play zonal, you cannot mix it. You can, but it's dangerous."

Squads

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Lehmann, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Eboue, Gilberto, Diarra, Rosicky, van Persie, Adebayor, Senderos, Traore, Song, Denilson, Bendtner, Diaby, Eduardo.

Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Kaboul, Lee, Dawson, Rocha, Lennon, O'Hara, Jenas, Boateng, Malbranque, Huddlestone, Berbatov, Defoe, Tainio, Taarabt, Bent, Keane

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

ARSENAL 2-0 TOTTENHAM

North London derbies are always fantastic games to watch and this one will be no different. Juande Ramos will soon realise the job that is ahead of him as Arsenal continue to dominate Spurs, today will be no different. Flamini and Fabregas are doing a fine job holding the midfield, and today Fabregas will need to be monitored at all times if Spurs are to get anything out of this game.

Goalscorer: Emmanuel Adebayor