LONDON, (Reuters) – Arsenal will try to avoid an unbeaten record in the north London derby this Sunday against Tottenham Hotspur as they try to end a five-game winless series against their old enemies.
Arsenal have never gone six games in a row against Spurs without a win and the last time they went five in a row was between 1993 and 1996.
When the sides met at Tottenham stadium in December goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane gave Spurs a 2-0 win that put them atop the Premier League table and leaving Arsenal in 15th.
Although Arsenal’s position has improved somewhat since then and they are now 10th, Tottenham’s challenge for the title soon faded and they will start to fall Sunday in seventh place, albeit on the back of three consecutive league wins.
With both sides in the last 16 of the Europa League, their more likely routes to European qualification, especially in the case of Arsenal, could be through winning that competition.
But that will take nothing from the edge off Sunday’s clash at Emirates Stadium where Tottenham will chase Arsenal’s first league victory since a 3-2 victory in 2010.
A victory for Jose Mourinho’s side who had suddenly struck form after a terrible fall after Christmas would keep them in touch with the fight for a top-four finish.
They have 45 points from 27 games, five fewer than fourth-ranked Chelsea who have played more games.
CHELSEA REVIEW
Chelsea have a chance to strengthen their grip on fourth place in Saturday’s early kick-off as traveling to Leeds United remain unbeaten in the 11 games since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in the hot seat of Stamford Bridge.
Under Tuchel, Chelsea have become as hard to beat as they once were under Mourinho, and in their last four games against Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton have not conceded a goal. They have only dropped two goals since Tuchel took over with the German fully utilizing his squad.
He has shown a willingness to cut and change his starting lineups and will probably do so again on Saturday with a second Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid on the horizon.
Chelsea would have expected their top rivals in London to be either Tottenham or Arsenal this season but it is actually a resurgent West Ham United that could be the four biggest rivals from inside the capital .
West Ham’s 2-0 win over Leeds United on Monday put David Moyes’ team in fifth place, just two points behind Chelsea after playing one game less.
The Hammers take on second-placed Manchester United on Sunday to seek their first league victory at Old Trafford since 2007.
“We’re having a good season, our goal is to have a great season,” said former Manchester United manager Moyes.
Fulham’s brilliant escape attempt from rejection continues as they host Manchester City’s runaway leaders on Saturday.
Few would expect Scott Parker’s team to emerge with any points but then again few would have imagined they would have beaten Liverpool champions at Anfield last weekend.
They have always clapped themselves on points with 17th-ranked Brighton and Hove Albion heading to Southampton on Sunday.
Liverpool, whose terrible run has dropped them to eighth in the table, will visit Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Sixteenth-ranked Newcastle United, nervously looking over their shoulders at Fulham which is one point behind them, host Aston Villa on Friday.