Source: Telegraph
Arsenal v Tottenham: Arsenal wary of Tottenham's quest for new riches
I played in that game (a goalless draw at Highbury) which came very early on in the 1990/91 season. But after only two games, the top division back then had yet to settle down and reveal the true contenders for the championship. [LNB]As proof, we went on to win the league, losing just one game, while a talented Tottenham side boasting Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne eventually finished in 10th position. [LNB] Related ArticlesArsenal v Tottenham: match previewRedknapp: Peter Crouch could be unstoppableJenas eyes England placeArsène Wenger believes in Arsenal squadRedknapp ready to gamble with BentleySport on televisionIt would be a major surprise on both counts if something similar happened again. Arsenal, for all their strengths, still look a little too generous in defence, as demonstrated at West Ham last week in throwing away a two-goal lead. [LNB]Spurs, meanwhile, attack this Premier League campaign with a squad rich in quality and options. It has been a long time since they looked so equipped for the long slog. [LNB]As a result, mid-table mediocrity doesn't seem likely. On the contrary, Harry Redknapp's side stands a decent chance of properly competing with its neighbours at the top end of the table. [LNB]Satyrday's north London derby might tell us more. This tasty-looking clash at the Emirates between third and fourth place could reveal something different about the visitors; whether, for instance, they now feel on a par with Arsène Wenger's side. [LNB]On the flip side, a slight inferiority complex may still lurk within, which isn't too surprising when you haven't won any of the last 19 league meetings. [LNB]It is possible, of course, that the game might ultimately reveal very little at all, since these local scraps are usually so frenetic that it's sometimes difficult to draw any firm conclusions. [LNB]Take last season. Spurs ended up drawing a crazy contest 4-4, having clawed back two goals in the dying moments - a great result in the end that felt like a win but couldn't stop Spurs finishing the season 21 points behind Arsenal. [LNB]If nothing else, though, that night proved beyond doubt that these derbies remain special, even though most of the players involved don't hail from these shores. [LNB]It was different in my day (a sentence that nobody really wants to write). In the late 80s and early 90s, most of the combatants were British, so naturally understood the occasion's significance. [LNB]Not only that, there was a fair smattering of local lads, players from the London area who had come through the ranks, so had been brought up on the rivalry. [LNB]Think of David Rocastle, Michael Thomas and Paul Davis for Arsenal, Vinny Samways, Ian Walker and David Howells for Spurs. [LNB]There might not be any home-grown products at all starting today, unless Ledley King returns in lily white. Nevertheless, Cesc Fàbregas and his crew know what's at stake, just as Wilson Palacios and Vedran Corluka will have been told the score. [LNB]In the week leading up, supermarkets and shops are always full of advice. Fans let you know exactly what's expected. [LNB]From Tottenham's point of view, that will be to try and get at Arsenal, to see if Peter Crouch's height can upset William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen, to see if David Bentley can carry on from where he left off against Everton in the Carling Cup. [LNB]More significantly, perhaps it will be to see whether Spurs are strong enough defensively to tame the division's top scorers. [LNB]Mind you, Robbie Keane already sounds in bullish mood. The Spurs striker reckons his team has a stronger bench than Arsenal's. Well, we could debate that one all day but he does have a point. I can't remember a time when they looked so well covered in nearly every department. [LNB]While that's no guarantee of silverware, it helps. And that's the whole point. Keeping tabs with Arsenal in October doesn't mean a great deal. [LNB]Derby winners[LNB]May 3 1971 Tottenham 0, Arsenal 1 Ray Kennedy's header clinches the title for Arsenal. [LNB]Sept 10 1988 Tottenham 2, Arsenal 3 A personal favourite. I scored with a far-post header in our title-winning season. [LNB]April 4 1993 Arsenal 1, Tottenham 0 The Donkey won the derby at Wembley when Tony Adams avenged our FA Cup semi-final defeat two years before. [LNB]April 25 2004 Tottenham 2, Arsenal 2 Arsenal win the league with four games to spare in a match that kicked off with Patrick Vieira's stunning goal on the counter- attack. [LNB]Oct 29 2008 Arsenal 4, Tottenham 4 A never-to-be-forgotten clash crammed with the unexpected. [LNB]
