Jermaine Jenas
Former Tottenham and England midfielder

"The question for Tottenham every year seems to be: can they make the top four? The answer is usually 'no'.

"This season, with Manchester United not playing brilliantly and Chelsea well below their usual standards, there is a massive chance for them.

"Sunday's north London derby at Arsenal will be a huge test of where Spurs are at, especially because they have been battered at Emirates Stadium a couple of times in the past few years."

Image source, Getty Images

Spurs have not won there since November 2010, when we came back to win 3-2 in a game I played in. We had a decent record against them at that time, and had come back to draw 4-4 the season before.  

Shay Given
Stoke keeper on BBC Match of the Day 2 Extra

"Tottenham are quietly going about their business which is credit to the manager. With the way Chelsea are playing, Tottenham will be one of the favourites for a Champions League place."  

Arsenal

Arsenal make just one change from the team thumped by Bayern Munich in midweek but it could be a key one as Laurent Koscielny returns at centre-back in place of Gabriel.

Arsenal: Cech: Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Campbell, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud

The pitch at the Emirates is an absolute carpet. I'm hoping for a feast of Sunday afternoon football. Serve me up.

Jonathan Pearce
BBC football commentator

"North London derbies after Arsenal versus Bayern encounters have become common. In 2014 the Gunners won at Spurs after a morale-boosting, if futile, draw in Munich.

"But the home humbling by the Germans in February 2013 left them so befuddled they lost at Tottenham 12 days later.

"If they're to hold their season together they can't afford to let the auld enemy go away with just a second victory from 26 visits.

"Injuries to Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have blunted Arsenal's pace, and they can't defend without Laurent Koscielny - so will be relieved the Frenchman is expected to be fit.

"Tottenham are in the mood after three victories on the spin. I can see a high-scoring draw."

Shay Given
Stoke keeper on BBC Match of the Day 2 Extra

"I want to say that before a ball was kicked I predicted Arsenal to win the league. One of the biggest things for Arsenal was dropping Petr Cech in the Champions League and now it looks like they won’t qualify."  

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs make just three changes from the side who started against Anderlecht in Europa League.

In come Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele.

Tottenham: Lloris (c), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Alli, Dier; Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane  

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Football Focus

Image source, Reuters

"Harry Kane is a man who always puts himself in the best position to get a shot away at goal. As a goalscorer, even if you have a lean spell you never lose it."

Spanish La Liga

If Arsenal have injury problems, imagine having to play without Lionel Messi.

Mind you, Barca have done ok in his absence to be fair.

You can follow their latest attempt to play without the great one here.

We will have team news with you shortly - but I can tell you that Laurent Koscielny got off the Arsenal bus...

Image source, Getty Images

There are 10 FA Cup first-round ties taking part this afternoon and you can see all the goals as they go in in this sparkly magic FA Cup page here.

Whitehawk have just gone 2-0 up against Lincoln...

BBC Radio 5 Live

As well as my wonderful prose and your superb comments, you can follow full radio commentary of this derby on BBC Radio 5 live. Tune in. 

David Pleat
Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

On Tottenham's run of one win in 25 at Arsenal: "Stats don't worry me too much. It's Arsenal v Tottenham but it's different players. It's down to those 11 players on the day. I don't think they sit in the dressing room before the game and think 'we haven't won here in however long'."  

Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on Football Focus

Image source, Getty Images

"Arsenal look so strong - their squad is strong, as is their bench. This season is one of the best chances they have had in years of winning the title."

Spurs meanwhile have only lost once in the Premier League all season, and a win at the home of the old enemy this afternoon could see them move into fifth place.

Is Champions League football on its way back to the Lane?

Arsenal come into the north London derby with that massive injury list and on the back of an absolute trousering in Munich.

But they are second in the Premier League and could go top again this afternoon...

Image source, EPA

"At the moment we have too many players out.

"I am very concerned, honestly, because we are only in November and we have so many players out knowing we go into the Christmas period soon."

Image source, Reuters

Does this sound familiar?

Arsenal are going into a key stage of the season with an injury list longer than a seven-year-old's Christmas shopping list.

Jack Wilshere is out, Theo Walcott is injured, Aaron Ramsey is out, the Ox is out - even Tomas Rosicky is missing.

All we need is Abou Diaby to complete the top trumps set. 

Do Tottenham smell blood?