Arsenal make the short journey to White Hart Lane this Saturday hoping to get their own title bid back on track, whilst sticking the knife into Spurs’ own quest at the same time.
The two sets of supporters have been even more vocal towards each other here in the Transfer Tavern this season, with it being the first time in years that both North London club have challenged for the Premier League title.
The Tottenham fans in particular here in the Tavern are expectant ahead of this mammoth showdown and are eagerly anticipating sticking one over their fierce rivals and going top of the league.
With team selection likely to be crucial this weekend, we asked our writer Lee Clarke to choose the Tottenham Hotspur starting eleven ahead of the game:
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE XI!
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GK – Hugo Lloris
Ex-Spurs boss Tim Sherwood spoke on the radio earlier this week about the French goalkeeper’s professionalism and it could be telling in Saturday’s massive North London derby.
The agile keeper has been in great form this season and leads by example from between the posts for the Spurs, making him a vital part of their team.
On his day, Lloris is one of the very best stoppers in the world and those of a Spurs persuasion will be hoping he is on top form this weekend.
RB – Kyle Walker
Walker has his critics but of late he has looked to be back to his very best form on the right-hand side of the Spurs defence.
The pace he possesses could be vital this weekend as he is likely to be up against an out-of-sorts Alexis Sanchez, so he will need to be at the races from the first whistle.
Tough in the tackle and more experienced that his right-back rival Kieran Trippier, Walker should get the nod for this one.
CB – Toby Alderweireld
The former Southampton loan star has been one of the signings of the season and has really added an element of heart to the Spurs back four.
The Belgian has relished playing with his fellow countryman Jan Vertonghen and in his absence he has also formed a formidable partnership with Kevin Wimmer too.
Alderweireld is the sort of central defender who will relish the North London derby and he will be a big player for Spurs this weekend.
CB – Kevin Wimmer
The Austrian central defender has stepped up in Vertonghen’s absence and has worked well in tandem with Alderweireld.
At present the Spurs back four pretty much picks itself with the exception of a few tweaks here and there dependant on the opposition.
Wimmer hasn’t looked out of place in a Spurs shirt when he has been called upon, and he will hope to be part of a famous victory for the club come Saturday afternoon
LB – Danny Rose
The in-form Spurs left-back has shown form of late that could see him emerge as a late contender for the England squad which travels to France in the summer.
Rose netted a superb winner in the win over Swansea City last weekend, and does have form for scoring excellent goals in North London derbies, following a superb strike several years on is league debut back in 2010.
The 25-year-old has been a really important player for Spurs this season and on present form it will be impossible for Mauricio Pochettino to drop him.
DM – Eric Dier
The defensive midfielder has made the position in front of the back four his own this season, and has even excelled in the role whilst playing for England.
The defensive protection will be vital for Spurs on Saturday with Arsenal being strongest in the middle of the park.
Dier’s creativity could also be crucial and he will need to act as a calming influence during the game this weekend.
CM – Dele Alli
The new kid on the block has been a revelation this season and after a foot injury kept him out of the starting line up for the West Ham game, he should be raring to go from the off for this one.
Alli has been a really important player for Spurs this season and that will not be any different this weekend.
If the former Milton Keynes Dons man is on the top of his game then three points for the Spurs is a real possibility.
CM – Ryan Mason
Midfielder Mason has struggled for fitness this season but after featuring from the start against the Hammers in the week, he might get another chance to perform here.
The 24-year-old knows all about the rivalry between Spurs and Arsenal and that sort of understanding is vitally important in these sorts of games.
Mason can make things happen from the middle of the park and his link up play with the two wide players could be a good asset for Spurs at the weekend.
W – Erik Lamela
The Argentine winger is probably the most improved player in the Spurs squad this season, and whatever advice boss Pochettino has given him, has clearly worked.
The ex-Roma man still has a lot to offer Spurs and his pace good be a good resource in this game, with both Arsenal full-backs offering a considerable amount of pace.
Lamela and his fellow wide player Christian Eriksen are likely to switch throughout this game, and they will both act as providers for Harry Kane in attack.
W – Christian Eriksen
The Danish sensation has probably had a below-par season by his personal high standards but nonetheless he is still an important player to Spurs.
Eriksen works incredibly well in attack with Kane and the pair are a valuable part of the way in which Spurs play.
The 24-year-old looks set for a really bright future in the game and Spurs fans will be hoping that he can reproduce some of his very best form this weekend against the Gunners.
ST – Harry Kane
It is hard to believe that at the start of this season people were saying that England striker Kane might turn out to be a one-season wonder.
After a slow start to the campaign, Kane has now amassed 16 league goals this season to continue his reputation as one of the country’s leading marksmen.
Kane netted the winner in this fixture last season and those of a Spurs persuasion will be hoping he can do the same at White Hart Lane this weekend.
