Preview: Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal go head to head with their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur this weekend as both sides search for crucial three points.

Only a point separates the fierce opponents in the Premier League table, with Andre Villas-Boas's team sitting in seventh and Arsene Wenger's men residing in eighth.

The Gunners have been largely inconsistent so far in their league campaign and the club will be hoping to recover from their 3-3 draw with Fulham last weekend, in which they had the chance to take maximum points when Mikel Arteta stepped up to take a last-minute penalty but the shot was saved.

Meanwhile, Spurs have lost their last two league fixtures and they will be determined not to record a third when they travel to the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime.

Wenger could welcome back midfielder Jack Wilshere to the side, who has served a one-match suspension after getting sent off against Manchester United a fortnight ago.

Theo Walcott could keep his place in the starting XI if he returns from a hip injury in time, while Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud could also retain their spots up front.

Villas-Boas has a number of injury concerns and has confirmed that Moussa Dembele will be unavailable for the clash but Aaron Lennon is expected to be fit.

Recent form:

Arsenal: WLWLD

Tottenham: WLWLL

Possible lineups:

Arsenal: Mannone; Sagna, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen; Wilshere, Arteta, Cazorla; Walcott, Giroud, Podolski

Tottenham: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen; Sandro, Huddlestone; Lennon, Bale, Dempsey; Adebayor

Sports Mole says: 2-1