It’s been a while since Arsenal last entered the North London derby ten points adrift of their bitter rivals, so there are no doubts which team are under pressure at the moment.

The Gunners boosted their top 4 hopes with back to back Premier League wins over Blackburn and Sunderland, but shocking performances in other competitions made everyone forget all about the two league victories.

Arsene Wenger’s side were first hammered by Milan in the Champions League last 16 stage, before losing their FA Cup tie to Sunderland, and such is the poor atmosphere in the camp now that not even a victory in North London derby would help a great deal.

The players are completely out of confidence at the moment and with high-flying Tottenham on the other side, odds of 2.62 (15/8) offered by Ladbrokes on home win are by no means tempting.

Arsene Wenger allowed Andrei Arshavin to return to Zenit on transfer deadline day in Russia, but the Frenchman is hoping Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny will be fit to play.

Andre Santos, Jack Wilshire, Abou Diaby, Per Mertesacker, Emmanuel Frimpong and Carl Jenkinson remain long-term casualties.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Szczesny – Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs – Arteta, Song – Walcott, Ramsey, Gervinho – Van Persie.

Tottenham go into this game high on confidence, following the amazing victory over Newcastle, although the good atmosphere in the squad was somewhat marred by the goalless draw against Stevanage.

Spurs, nevertheless, have every reason to feel optimistic before the trip to Etihad given they lost just one of last 15 games in all competitions.

While the attacking department continues to terrorize opposition defenders, Harry Redknapp can be delighted by the fact that his side kept four clean sheets in last five games and seven in last ten.

Taking into account team’s attack-minded style of play, this is a brilliant record and it goes to show that Tottenham are indeed a very well-balanced side.

Spurs are under no pressure at the moment and that could give the visitors and extra edge over their struggling opponents, which makes Tottenham a good bet at 2.90 (19/10) offered by William Hill.

Emanuel Adebayor, Rafa van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Benoit Assou-Ekotto should all return, but Ledley King is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Friedel – Walker, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto – Lennon, Modric, Parker, Bale – Van der Vaart – Adebayor.