Arsenal vs Tottenham LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups from North London derby tonight – UK Times

Martin Odegaard created 10 chances in their FA Cup tie with Manchester United, the highest tally in a game by a Premier League player across all competitions this season.

The Gunners will need their captain to fire once again this evening if they hope to overcome Tottenham.

Only Erling Haaland, with 14, has scored the opening goal in more top-flight appearances than Dominic Solanke’s 11 since the start of last season.

Some at the club would have said they should have had such a player in place before this season. Arteta wants a physically imposing forward who can grow, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson all raised, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko the ideal profile.

Arsenal have conceded a league-high 28% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes of games this season (five of 18). In comparison, Tottenham have scored 11 goals in this time period, more than any other side.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side have had a greater expected goals total than their opponents in 25 of their 30 matches in all competitions this season, including 18 of the last 19.

Tottenham have 15 fewer points than at this stage last season, despite scoring the same number of goals and conceding just one more.

Their run of 101 top-flight games without a 0-0 draw is the second longest in Premier League history after Manchester United’s 114 between May 1999 and May 2002.

Tottenham’s only win in their past eight league matches was 5-0 at bottom side Southampton. They also recorded two draws, five defeats in that run.

Since the start of December, only Leicester and Southampton have earned fewer points than the five by Spurs. However, Tottenham have kept back-to-back clean sheets in all competitions for only the second time this season so there maybe signs of a turnaround.

Mikel Arteta has demanded that Arsenal supporters create the most hostile atmosphere ever seen inside the Emirates Stadium for his side’s pivotal north London derby against Tottenham on Wednesday.

The Gunners will welcome their arch-rivals to the Emirates off the back of two consecutive home defeats – against Newcastle in the opening leg of their semi-final Carabao Cup tie and an FA Cup third-round penalty shootout exit at the hands of Manchester United – which leaves their season hanging in the balance.

A number of disgruntled supporters were seen immediately heading for the exit after Johsua Zirkzee struck the winning spot-kick for United. There were also swathes of empty seats long before the final whistle of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat by the Magpies just five days earlier.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 12 league matches at the Emirates (nine wins, three draws) and are the only side yet to lose at home in the top flight this season.

They are aiming to keep a clean sheet in five straight home league games for the first time since December 2013 to February 2014 and can complete a Premier League double over Tottenham for the fifth time.

Spurs have won just two of their 32 Premier League away fixtures against Arsenal (12 drawa, 18 defeats), and none of the last 13 since a 3-2 victory in November 2010.

Ange Postecoglou’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in 25 away league games against the Gunners since a 0-0 draw in November 1998 when Espen Baardsen was in goal for the visitors.

Arsenal have won six of their last eight league games against Tottenham with one draw and one defeat in that run. The Gunners could win three consecutive top-flight north London derbies for the first time since a run of five from 1987 to 1989.