Tottenham v Arsenal

Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2010 by Football.co.uk

Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal will go head-to-head at White Hart Lane as they get set to let their old rivalries recommence in north London on Wednesday evening.

Harry Redknapp's Spurs will be licking their wounds after losing to Portsmouth in the FA Cup semi-final to beleaguered Portsmouth on Sunday but the high-intensity derby atmosphere may be exactly what his side need to bounce back.

However, Arsene Wenger's men will be looking for another crucial win that would keep their Premier League title-charge going into the last four games of the season.

The Gunners have a game in hand over current champions Manchester United and a win would put them into second place.

Their league form has been nothing short of exceptional recently. They have picked up seven wins and a draw from eight games to reignite their title dreams but they must really collect all three points on offer if they are to stay in touch with Chelsea at the top.

Spurs' defeat to Pompey has simply rubbed salt into their wounds following their disappointing Premier League loss at Sunderland last time out.

They succumbed 3-1 in the north east to end a fine run of five straight wins and that defeat has hindered their top-four challenge.

A further defeat would all but hand the initiative to main rivals Manchester City who hold a four-point advantage as they sit in the coveted position.

The hosts may well be buoyed by Arsenal's wretched injury list that has caused them great concern recently.

They are likely to be without Andrey Arshavin (calf), Alex Song (groin) and Robin Van Persie (ankle), although the Netherlands international is nearing a return to first-team action and has been tipped to feature on the bench in some quarters.

William Gallas (calf), Cesc Fabregas (fractured leg), Kieran Gibbs (metatarsal) and Aaron Ramsey (double leg fracture) are all out for the rest of the season.

Ledley King (thigh) and Aaron Lennon (groin) are rated as big doubts for Spurs while Carlo Cudicini (wrist), Jonathan Woodgate and Jermaine Jenas (both groin) are definitely missing.

In last season's showdown, the fierce foes played out an entertaining goalless draw.

Spurs will still be wondering how they didn't manage to gather all three points following Emmanuel Eboue's red card on the half hour.

Redknapp's men dominated in large spells but couldn't find a way past Manuel Almunia in the Gunners' goal.

The result was in stark contrast to the corresponding fixture at Emirates Stadium earlier in the 2008-09 season as a fascinating meeting ended in a spectacular 4-4 stalemate.

At the Emirates this term, the Gunners held the upper hand, winning 3-0 with van Persie at the double and Fabregas causing the damage.