The derby North London between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur is one of the most anticipated events in the calendars of both sets of fans. The two clubs have faced one another in top flight football 156 times since 1900, and each hotly-contested derby is accompanied by a crackling atmosphere in this crowded corner of the city as Londoners exchange taunts, jeers and largely cheerful banter about their predictions for the match. The 156 clashes so far have produced 66 victories for Arsenal, Tottenham 49 victories and 41 draws, and many memorable moments. Who can forget the nine goals at White Hart Lane in 2004 – Noureddine Naybet opened the scoring for Spurs late in the first half, and despite his teammates Defoe, Ledley King and Kanoute to join him on the score sheet, they were finally out-Gunned with the match finishing 4-5 to Arsenal. In 2006, the last derby ever to be hosted by Arsenal at Highbury, the old stadium was once again full of excitement and controversy. Spurs have dominated, but when Robbie Keane capitalized by typing in a brilliant cross from Edgar Davids in the second half, the Gunners players complained that he should have stopped play because Emmanuel Eboue had been injured in a collision with teammate Gilberto. Manager Arsène Wenger and Martin Jol almost came to blows on the touchline on the incident and had to be separated by the fourth official, while David was finally expelled and Thierry Henry saved his opposite side with a goal typically style in the 84th minute, leaving the teams with one point each. The derby this fall, just before Christmas, December 22, 2007, the new stadium of Arsenal, Emirates, tall, which is regularly filled to its capacity of nearly 60, 432. It is set with a cracking game that the home team will want to defend their place, or near, the top of the table and please fans with elegant, flowing football that has become their trademark . They know a brilliant season so far, shake concerns about how they would fare after the departure of legendary Henry with Freddy Ljungberg, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell to be undefeated in the Champions League and all League games in mid-November. The story at Tottenham could not be more different – after a promising pre-season and the transfer of Martin Jol, apparently leaving spoiled for choice with four top strikers, it was a shocking start with pitiful results dipping Spurs in the relegation zone in October and off-pitch drama leading popular Jol left the club amid accusations and rumors have emerged in an ugly game of the UEFA Cup dull. Under its new manager, Juande Ramos, former Sevilla, Tottenham began to find their marks, keeping clean sheets in wins against Blackpool, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Wigan. But it remains to see how the Spurs are fighting against those offered to the really big boys of the Premier League in the derby and we will seek to continue their brutal climb the table and show what they are made. It will certainly be one to watch as editing and Saturday afternoon (3pm) warming of a few drinks will certainly be called later. For travel enthusiasts, the Emirates is easily accessible by train and subway and there is a good selection of hotels near Kings Cross for the big game can be transformed into a residence in the city of Christmas – Central London Not exactly short on attractive destinations for non-family members fanatic, too.
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