First chance comes for the hosts as Eric Dier gives the ball away on the edge of his own area! Dangerous. Alexandre Lacazette picks up the pieces, is crowded out but is still able to get a shot off, over the top from 18 yards.

A very Premier League pace to the opening minutes. Hurried passes, hasty losses of possession. Dele Alli almost finds Christian Eriksen but Hector Bellerin does well to cover.

Image source, PA

Aaron Ramsey harries and hurries Wales team-mate Ben Davies, hunting the ball down but incurring the wrath of Mike Dean. A very decent atmosphere.

On the odd occasion Bradley?!

The bigger the game the bigger the disappointment as a rule. Let's hope two giants deliver. We've already got a flare going off in the stands as Jonathan Pearce tells us that fans were drinking on his 07:15 GMT train this morning.

Starting early - and away we go!

Image source, Getty Images

Bradley Allen
Ex-QPR striker at Emirates Stadium for BBC Radio London

This heavy rain puts a zip on the playing surface and gives an edge to the fixture.

The North London Derby gives us great memories. Big games can on the odd occasion disappoint, but I don't think this will this afternoon.

There are great players on the pitch and a tremendous crowd - I am looking forward to his immensely.

Arsenal: Cech, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette. Subs: Mertesacker, Wilshere, Ospina, Iwobi, Welbeck, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Sanchez, Dier, Vertonghen, Trippier, Sissoko, Dembele, Eriksen, Davies, Alli, Kane. Subs: Son, Vorm, Llorente, Foyth, Aurier, Winks, Walker-Peters.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

Matthew Upson
Former Arsenal defender at Emirates Stadium for 5 live Sport

Image source, PA

Harry Kane is back and presents a very real threat, especially considering the question marks surrounding the Arsenal defence.

And Christian Eriksen had a wonderful international break, and he presents a threat also. You might also consider man-marking him, though that could leave you a man short in midfield. It'd be a huge sacrifice for the home team to do that, and not one I think Arsene Wenger will be prepared to make.

Gilberto Silva
Former Arsenal midfielder on Football Focus

It always goes against him. The pressure is always on. Any time they lose it's not Arsenal who lose the game, its Arsene. It always increases the pressure.

Here come the sides - these early kick-offs often struggle for atmosphere - not today...

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on Football Focus

I do feel Sanchez should be in there. Obviously it's almost a demise for Arsenal now and Tottenham are striving for excellence - it really is an outstanding team.

But I feel like it could go wrong for Tottenham today. Arsenal at home are a totally different animal. What Wenger has to do is be positive. They need that belief going into this one today.

Image source, Reuters

Matthew Upson
Former Arsenal defender at Emirates Stadium for 5 live Sport

Leaving Alexandre Lacazette on the bench wouldn't have sent out a good image. Arsenal have Lacazette, Ozil and Sanchez - how exciting.

This fixture presents us with two well-balanced teams. It really is a man-for-man likeness, when you compare the two starting lineups.

I don't know about a shift in power but there's definitely been a shift in weather - today's crowd shots confirm that we are now full into scarf, hat and gloves territory.

Mind you, I was wearing full weather gear walking the dog yesterday morning and there were still two lads in the park wearing shorts. Madness I tell you.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer on BBC Radio London

The club in North London that has won trophies recently is Arsenal, not Tottenham, despite all the talk. But at the moment I do think Spurs have the better team - it's younger and stronger. But I wouldn't talk about shifts in power in North London on the basis of last season's league table. We need more evidence.

Today I think we'll see two teams going for the win, but a draw today wouldn't be too objectionable for either manager.

Image source, PA

An Arsenal defeat would leave them 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, who face Leicester later on today.

They would only be three points behind the top four though...

Image source, Reuters

Bradley Allen
Ex-QPR striker at Emirates Stadium for BBC Radio London

There's a lot of pressure on the Gunners to get a result here on their home patch.

Somewhere along the line the top teams drop points in season. But if Arsenal lose today I think their title challenge is over, and again under threat will be their opportunity to finish in the top four.

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis on whether he would be surprised to get sacked: "No, not at all. If the club decide what they decide, I've got great respect for the football club, the supporters, the chairman, the board - it's just life.

"If you don't get results, you're under pressure. I understand, the more you give, the more people want. We brought in a lot of good players, players we hoped would gel straight away, and we've been unfortunate.

"Like every team, if you don't have your best players, especially at the top end of the pitch, you're going to struggle."

Image source, Getty Images

When Chris Coleman is confirmed as Sunderland manager it means that the Everton job will be the only outstanding job in the top two flights - but will we have some more changes soon enough?

Let's hear from one man under pressure...

A cracking tweet this - Can Sunderland win for Edith?!

Former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas says Championship strugglers Sunderland would be better off if they were relegated to League One.

On Friday, Chris Coleman left his job as Wales boss to take over at the Black Cats, who have been without a manager since sacking Simon Grayson on 31 October.

Sunderland are two points adrift at the bottom of the table, and Jenas believes dropping down a division offers the chance to rebuild the club’s identity.

Image source, reu

Rikin Shah: Why do poor players like Xhaka get into the Arsenal team? Drop him for Wilshere who is genuine quality.

Josh Gafson: Hoping for a massive three points today! COYS!

Noel Fitzpatrick: Just feel that there is one in this Arsenal side today...