Arsenal vs Tottenham LIVE SCORE: Premier League updates as Gunners host fierce rivals in blockbuster North London derby

Ode to joyMartin Odegaard is hoping tonight’s game coming so soon after Sunday’s loss to Man Utd can galvanise the fanbase.

Writing in tonight’s programme, the Gunners skipper said: “Having a massive game like the derby tonight is a great way to get everyone completely focused again and looking forward.

“We know how much this game means to all of you – our supporters – but also to the players and everyone at the club.

“That’s the good thing about having a big game so soon after a disappointment.”

Credit: Getty

Stage is setThe countdown is well and truly on to kick-off now in North London.

Fans are out of work, the pubs are filling up and the excitement is building for a crucial clash under the lights.

Mikel Arteta is demanding the “best atmosphere that we have played at the Emirates.

He added: “That’s our objective. That’s something that we control, the players, the staff, and everybody that turns up.

“This is something that we can do, so let’s do it.”

Credit: Getty

Angry AngeAnge Postecoglou has hit out at “vile and detestable” abuse he received at Spurs’ FA Cup tie with Tamworth.

Tottenham were taken to extra-time by the National League side before running out 3-0 winners.

Postecoglou said: “I said after the game, credit to Andy [Peaks] and his players and the people of Tamworth at the football club.

“I thought they did themselves proud on the day with the way they presented everything. 90 per cent of the crowd were very good and enjoyed the banter.

“There was 10 per cent who were pretty unacceptable.

“The stuff I heard was pretty vile and detestable, and getting things thrown at me, not a great experience, but we’re kind of expected to be the bigger person.”

Credit: Getty

How Arsenal could line-upThere are some big decisions for Mikel Arteta to make tonight – with almost his entire right-sided attack decimated by injury.

Gabriel Martinelli would seem a shoo-in to start on the left flank, with Kai Havertz likely to continue down the middle.

The right-side is harder to predict, given Arsenal’s injury issues.

Raheem Sterling replaced Gabriel Jesus on Sunday against Man Utd and could come in to make just his third Prem start for the Gunners.

Here’s how SunSport predicts Arsenal could set up tonight for the big derby clash…

Ange – ‘As big as it comes’ Ange Postecoglou talked down the importance of the NLD last season.

But with Spurs’ season floundering and questions over his own job, the Aussie is desperate for a positive result tonight.

He said: “This year is as big as they ever come, especially for us and our season.

“We have to start winning games in the league and this is no better place to start.”

Credit: Getty

Arteta’s rallying cryIt’s a huge night for both Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, who knows dropping points is not an option.

Arteta said in his pre-game press conference: It’s probably the nicest game of the season to watch because of the atmosphere, because of what it means to our people, and everybody involved in the game. This is something that is in our hands.

“Let’s create the best atmosphere that we have played at the Emirates, that’s our objective.

“That’s something that we control, the players, the staff, and everybody that turns up tomorrow. This is something that we can do, so let’s do it.”

Credit: Getty

Early team newsArsenal will have to cope without the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri in their front line tonight, with the trio all crocked.

Ben White is also out alongside long-term absentee Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Spurs’ defence remains decimated, as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are set to miss out.

Rodrigo Bentancur remains in the concussion protocol after his scary collapse on the field against Liverpool earlier this month, while Richarlison looks set to feature for the first time since early November.

Credit: Getty

Head to headTonight represents the 211th instalment of the North London derby, one of English football’s fiercest.

Tottenham are winless in the last five meetings between the two teams, going back to 3-0 victory over the Gunners in May 2022.

And you have to go way back to 2010 for the last time they won a Premier League clash at the Emirates.

• Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (September 2024)
• Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal (April 2024)
• Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham (September 2023)
• Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal (January 2023)
• Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham (October 2022)

Credit: Getty

Postecoglou discusses big Kinsky challengeAnge Postecoglou admits one part of Antonin Kinsky’s game will be severely tested in his first North London Derby this evening and explains why the Tottenham goalkeeper has a big role to play in the high-pressure encounter.

He said: “It’s a different challenge but it’s more to do with mindset in that he’s prepared to embrace that challenge, and the challenge we found in the last game when we found out just how strong they are on offensive set pieces and the players they’ve got in terms of both delivery and execution.

“You need to be well organised, but you also need your goalkeeper to play a pivotal role. So far what I’ve seen of him he’s embraced those challenges.

“It’s not easy going to a place like Tamworth and they’re throwing balls literally under the crossbar and you’ve got about 20 bodies around you, and as much as it’s about technical ability it’s more about mindset and tackling that and he didn’t shy away from it.

“That really helped us because it gives confidence to the players around him because they know if it’s in his area, he’s going to come for it and they can focus on their job.”

Arteta recalls Wilshere’s viral momentMikel Arteta has recalled Jack Wilshere’s passion for the NLD after witnessing the former midfielder’s viral moment when he was a player.

Arteta told TNT Sports: “I remember having a few conversations with Jack about it.

“Because Jack was very passionate about the rivalry, as we all know about.

“He made it public a few times, which was at the time very viral. So that’s probably something that’s stuck in my head from a player’s perspective.”

Postecoglou hits out at ‘narrative’Ange Postecoglou has taken issue with being perceived as someone who does not care about the defensive side of the game, explaining why he feels that his Tottenham side have done well at the back this season.

He said: “You don’t want to hear my explanation, you’d rather hear that I don’t like defending, we’re open, that we have this ridiculously high line, that we get torn apart in every game.

“That’s the narrative.”

Keown makes controversial team pickFormer Arsenal star believes only one Tottenham player would get into the Gunners team.

Keown picked his combined XI as he spoke to TNT Sports.

“Merino or Kulusevski?” Keown was asked.

“Oh, Kulusevski is probably the only player who deserves to be in the Arsenal XI.

Sol Campbell stars in hilarious advertGoogle have added to the NLD build-up by selecting Sol Campbell to star in a humuours advert encouraging buyers to switch to their Google Pixel phone.

Tottenham receive injury boostTottenham Hotspur have received a significant injury boost ahead of tonight’s clash against Arsenal as Richarlison returns to the squad after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Brazilian forward, who is considered one of Spurs’ most important players, has been out for several weeks due to fitness issues but is now ready to make his comeback.

Postecoglou said: “It’s just good to get Richy back, he’s had an unfortunate season for us, but last season when he played, and even the little bit he played this season when he injured his hamstring, he fights and scraps for everything, and he’s got quality as well.

“Just having an extra attacking player, with him and Mikey (Moore) available now makes such a difference in what we can do during games, between games, in terms of the way we play.”

Postecoglou on the NLD derbyTottenham boss Postecoglou knows this is not just a normal game and has talked about the added spice of this fixture.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the match, Postecoglou said: “If there’s territory involved that usually gives it an extra bit of spice. There’s definitely territory involved because there’s a piece of turf that people want to own.

“What I’ve never done is dismiss it as, ‘it’s just another game’, because it’s not, that’s the reality of it.

“We’re all sort of people who are still very much in our own communities and when you’re walking that’s the first thing people say to you so you know the significance of the game.

“There’s no point me going in there and saying, ‘boys just treat this like any other game’, because it’s not.

“There is a little bit more of an emotional presence in terms of you want the players to understand the ramifications of both the good and the bad, but also prepare themselves for the intensity, the tempo, the passion that exists for this fixture.”

Welcome to Arsenal vs Tottenham!North London derby day is here as Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners will be looking to bounce back after their painful FA Cup penalty defeat by Manchester United and keep alive their Premier League title hopes.

Mikel Arteta’s side can go within four points of leaders Liverpool with victory, although the Reds will have one game in hand.

While Spurs head into the match on a run of two successive wins in cup competitions including the 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last week.

Tottenham, however, have failed to win in their last four Prem matches but victory tonight will have this as a minor memory.

Stick with us here on SunSport as we bring you ALL of the latest build-up to the big one at the Emirates.

Credit: Getty