When Tottenham welcome Arsenal to White Hart Lane on Wednesday, there will be far more than just the pride of North London at stake. The seven-point gap between the Gunners and Premier League leaders Manchester United represents a chasm at this late stage of the season, while Spurs have Manchester City and fourth place in their sights. Arsene Wenger has had plenty of 'our season hinges on this game' fixtures over the past few months but the ever-creaking door to a first trophy in six years has almost slammed shut for another season. The Gunners have been drinking at last-chance saloon for weeks and last orders have just been called.
Considering Arsenal and Spurs are so frequently lauded for their attacking intent and derided for their defensive naivety, both sides have produced some pretty disappointing performances in recent matches. Wenger's charges have scored just seven goals in their past seven games - a run that has included two 0-0 draws - while Harry Redknapp's team have managed a measly six goals in their past seven, including three stalemates.
Wenger may have complained about Lady Luck's refusal to flash him a smile against Liverpool, but his side's inability to find the net until the 98th minute despite dominating the game is ultimately what cost them. The Reds had a game-plan, to stifle the Gunners into submission, and they executed it perfectly, following in the footsteps of Newcastle, West Brom, Sunderland, Blackburn and, of course, Spurs, in achieving an impressive result at Emirates Stadium this season.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman recently called on Wenger to abandon his flawed 'possession equals points' philosophy in favour of a 'substance over style' approach, and it's likely they will need to show some ruthlessness if they are to emerge with all three points from Wednesday's must-win derby.
For Spurs, who remain three points behind fourth-placed City, a victory against their neighbours will not only secure a first league Double over the Gunners in 18 years but will ensure they are in with a fighting chance of achieving a second successive season in Europe's premier club competition. An uneviable run-in includes visits to Stamford Bridge, Eastlands and Anfield, though it was similarly difficult last season when Redknapp's side beat Chelsea, City and Arsenal on their way to a first taste of the Champions League.
Tottenham player to watch: Rafael van der Vaart
The Dutch playmaker produced arguably his most influential display in a Spurs shirt against Arsenal in November, scoring one and creating the other two in his side's 3-2 victory. Despite still rarely looking capable of finishing a match, Van der Vaart has played 90 minutes in his past two games - the first time he has managed that feat since January. A Champions League exit to former club Real Madrid would have been harder for him to take than most, but Spurs desperately need him to immediately refocus and return to the peak of his creative powers if they are to find a way past the Gunners. Van der Vaart has only two goals to his name in 2011 and has not found the net since February 5; the North London derby represents an opportunity for him to emphatically return to the scoresheet.
Arsenal player to watch: Wojciech Szczesny
Defensive ineptitude has cost Arsenal and Tottenham too often this season, so both backlines will be under pressure to shed their questionable reputations at White Hart Lane. Szczesny, however, is one player who has emerged from this campaign with some credit. Aside from a calamitous Laurel and Hardy-esque error alongside Laurent Koscielny in the Carling Cup final, the young Polish goalkeeper certainly looks capable of making the No. 1 spot his own. A composed display on his return from injury against Liverpool, in which he dealt superbly with the presence of Andy Carroll, stands him in good stead for this clash, with Peter Crouch likely to provide a similar nuisance from balls into the box.
Key Battle: Gareth Bale v Bacary Sagna
Fresh from receiving his PFA Player of the Year award, Welsh speedster Gareth Bale will be looking to demonstrate exactly why his fellow professionals voted him the Premier League's star performer this season. Standing in his way, much to the relief of Arsenal fans who feared a second dose of Emmanuel Eboue, is the returning Bacary Sagna. Possessing a touch more calm in decision-making than his Ivorian team-mate, Sagna will be charged with shackling Bale, whose devastating pace helped him bag a goal in each of his last two games against the Gunners. Sagna's ability to communicate with his fellow defenders will likely be tested to the full, as both of the Welshman's strikes actually came from central positions.
Trivia
When William Gallas joined Tottenham last summer, he became the sixth player to sign for Spurs having previously played for Arsenal. The other five players are David Bentley, Rohan Rickets, David Jenkins, Laurie Brown and Jimmy Brain.
Stats
Emmanuel Adebayor's eight goals for Arsenal in North London derbies is a record, jointly held with Robert Pires and Alan Sunderland.
Source: Mark Lomas, ESPN Soccernet on 20 Apr 11
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