Arsenal host Tottenham in the Premier League’s first north London derby of the season on Saturday lunchtime.

For the first time since 2016, these storied rivals face each other while both occupy a spot inside the Premier League’s top three. Arsenal lead the league by a point, with Spurs nudged into third behind Manchester City by goal difference alone.

Here’s everything you need to know about one of the loftiest iterations of the north London derby.

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Where can you watch Arsenal vs Tottenham Highlights?

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Arsenal vs Tottenham H2H Results (Last Five Games)

Arsenal: 2 Wins
Tottenham: 3 Wins
Draws: 0

Current Form (Last Five Games)

Arsenal: WWLWW
Tottenham: DWWLW

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Arsenal team news

Martin Odegaard (knock) and Oleksandr Zinchenko missed Arsenal’s breezy beating of Brentford before the international break but both are expected to be available this weekend. Cedric Soares and Reiss Nelson are also in line for a return to the squad, though the pair are unlikely to make the starting XI.

Emile Smith Rowe is still recovering from a long-running groin problem and Mohamed Elneny remains sidelined with a thigh issue.

Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey left their international camps early. Tierney suffered a head clash against the Republic of Ireland last Saturday while Partey wasn’t risked for Ghana’s friendly against Brazil so soon after his recovery from a thigh injury. However, Partey’s national team manager Otto Addo stressed that the midfielder ‚will be healthy very, very soon‘.

Takehiro Tomiyasu was withdrawn from the Japan squad ‚due to club circumstances‘ according to a vague statement from his national team.

Arsenal Starting 11 (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Bench: Turner, Nketiah, Holding, Sambi, Marquinhos, Smith, Nwaneri, Soares, Vieira.

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Tottenham team news

Tottenham and France’s captain Hugo Lloris was discovered to have a ’small right thigh injury‘ when he joined up with his national team last week. The 35-year-old didn’t feature for France and his involvement this weekend remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Lucas Moura was scheduled to return from a tendon issue after the international break. Ben Davies spent the club hiatus recovering from a hairline fracture on his knee and is expected to be fit for Saturday.

Tottenham Starting 11 (3-4-3): Lloris; Romero, Dier, Lenglet; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Bentancur, Perisic; Richarlison, Kane, Son.
Bench: Forster, Doherty, Skipp, Kulusevski, Davies, Sessegnon, Sanchez, Tanganga, Bissouma.

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The various strengths and weaknesses of these clubs is set to make the 192nd north London derby a particularly enthralling affair.

If Antonio Conte persists with his two-man midfield – which appears likely given his dissatisfaction with Yves Bissouma’s tactical adaptation – Arsenal have shown the composure in possession under pressure to overwhelm Spurs in this area.

However, Arsenal’s only defeat this term came against a Manchester United side that ruthlessly exposed their vulnerability to quick transitions. Few teams in the division offer more counter-attacking threat than Spurs.

In a contest which could swing either way, Arsenal’s home advantage gives them a slight edge – but it is razor thin.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham