Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur: match preview

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Emirates Stadium

Kick-off: 16.00 BST.

TV: Live Sky Sports 1, Highlights BBC ONE Match of the Day2.

Team News

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will return from a one-match domestic suspension for Sunday's Premier League clash against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini is likely to go straight into the squad having rejoined his old club this week on a free transfer from AC Milan, as Aaron Ramsey has recovered from a groin problem, but forward Lukas Podolski is set for up to three months out with a torn hamstring.

Defender Thomas Vermaelen and midfielder Mikel Arteta continue their rehabilitation, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby.

 Roberto Soldado has scored two Premier League goals for Spurs so far, both from the penalty spot.
Last season Spurs did not get a single penalty

Meanwhile, Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon is a doubt with a foot injury.

Defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto and striker Emmanuel Adebayor will not feature as they are not fully fit, while star forward Gareth Bale will also miss the game as he edges closer to a move to Real Madrid.

New defender Vlad Chiriches is unlikely to feature while striker Jermain Defoe and midfielder Lewis Holtby are pushing for starts after impressing in Tottenham's 3-0 win over Dinamo Tbilisi.

Match Notes

All eyes will be on the Emirates pitch for 90 minutes tomorrow but the minds of most Arsenal fans are on the transfer window.

With no cash signings themselves, the various comings and goings at Spurs are being looked at with increasing frustration and perhaps even envy.

A glance at the two benches will certainly add weight to the theory that Tottenham's squad is now stronger.

Whether they have a better starting XI is more debatable and, beneath the sense of looming crisis, Arsenal have actually been in good form throughout 2013.

Recent history for this fixture suggests plenty of goals.

Betting: Home 21-10, Away 12-5, Draw 13-5.

Stat of the game: The last five Premier League meetings between these sides at The Emirates have produced 30 goals.

Arsenal (Probable, 4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs; Ramsey, Wilshere; Walcott, Rosicky, Cazorla; Giroud.

Out: Arteta (thigh), Diaby, Oxlade-Chamberlain (both knee), Podolski (hamstring), Vermaelen (back).

Tottenham (Probable, 4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue, Paulinho; Townsend, Dembélé, Chadli; Soldado.

Out: Bale, Lennon (both foot), Assou-Ekotto, Adebayor (both match fitness).