Topics: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Mikel Arteta, Antonio Conte, Premier League, Football, Harry Kane
The North London derby is one of the biggest rivalries in the Premier League, and former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has made his predictions for the game.
Mikel Arteta's side will clash with Antonio Conte's Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, with the Italian coach hoping to stop his Spanish counterpart extending his lead at the top of the table. There are currently 11 points between the two sides, despite Spurs having played one more game.
Both clubs made it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Harry Kane's second-half strike was enough to beat Portsmouth, whilst an Eddie Nketiah double ensured victory a 3-0 win for Arsenal against Oxford.
However, there has been a stark difference in the pair's league form. Whilst Arsenal have sailed to the top of the table following a series of excellent performances, Tottenham sit outside of the Champions League places after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Aston Villa and 2-2 draw with Brentford.
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Spurs fans will hope their statement 4-0 win over Crystal Palace should give them the confidence to go and beat Arsenal on the weekend.
Despite Arsenal's hot form, Ray Parlour expects a close game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, believing the match will end in a stalemate.
Parlour told Lord Ping: "Form goes out of the window in the North London Derby. Tottenham are struggling right now but if they get a result in the derby then that could turn their season around.
"It's a game that's more for the fans. In my era it wasn't the hardest game of our season, that always came against Manchester United.
"The North London derby is all about the bragging rights for the fans, being able to go into work on a Monday with the win.
"If Arsenal continue the great form that they've shown of late then of course they'll go into the game as slight favourites. I think it'll end in a 1-1 draw."
Despite a poor run of form and some ugly performances of late, Parlour believes that Conte should remain in charge of Tottenham, claiming: "I think Antonio Conte is still the right man to lead Tottenham forward."
