Arsenal have not lost in any competition since the opening day of the season and their midweek 3-2 win away to Bulgaria’s Ludogorets, with Mesut Ozil’s superb solo goal completing a comeback from 2-0 down, has left the Gunners well-placed to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Having played 75 minutes against Ludogorets, Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey – who has spent several weeks out with a hamstring injury – is eager to start against Spurs at the Emirates, saying: “Of course I’m ready.”
By contrast, Spurs were lacklustre in a 1-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League at Wembley.
They may boast the Premier League’s lone remaining unbeaten record and are just three points off top spot, but Spurs have not won any of their last six games in all competitions.
Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager, believes his side may be paying he price for fighting on two fronts.
“To play the Champions League and Premier League, two of the toughest competitions in the world, it’s good to analyse how we deal with that,” he said.
Jose Mourinho will hope his Manchester United side, already eight points adrift of top spot, can provide him with some respite at second-bottom Swansea on Sunday following a mediocre display in a 2-1 Europa League loss away to Fenerbahce.
Mourinho, set to serve a touchline ban at the Liberty Stadium, accused his team of treating the match like a “summer friendly”.
Basement club Sunderland travel to Bournemouth on Saturday in search of their first win of the season, with champions Leicester at home to West Brom.
West Ham will hope there is no repeat of the crowd trouble that has marred their recent home games when Stoke visit the London Stadium.
Fixtures (3pm GMT unless stated)
Saturday: Bournemouth v Sunderland, Burnley v Crystal Palace, Chelsea v Everton (5.30pm GMT), Manchester City v Middlesbrough, West Ham v Stoke
Sunday: Arsenal v Tottenham (12pm GMT), Hull v Southampton (2.15pm GMT), Leicester v West Brom (4.30pm GMT), Liverpool v Watford (2.15pm GMT), Swansea v Manchester United
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