By MattoftheSpurs
April 20 2007

I make no bones of my utter dislike and disdain of anything Arsenal. I make no apologies for it either. It is a deep, ingrained hatred (yes, hatred. Strong I know, but truthful) that burns. It is this that makes the North London Derby the greatest derby in the world. Tottenham Hotspur

Versus

Arsenal

21st April 2007

White Hart Lane

Premier League.

Kick Off: 12.45 pm

Live on Prem Plus and Prem Plus HD.


So here we go again. The most eagerly anticipated match of the season as far as Spurs supporters are concerned. You can discount the game at ‘their’ place for a couple of reasons. Firstly, we never win there. The draw last season was a decent result mainly for the reason that we battered them on their own turf for a fair while. The only reason we did not win on their (cabbage) patch last term was the blatant foul by Adebayor on Stalteri leading up to Henry’s equaliser.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, there are rules and regulations in place at The Emirates stadium (as there were at Highbury) that prohibit any loud noises of any kind. This includes singing, cheering and chanting. It was for this reason that Highbury was known throughout the World as “The Library”, and that the Guinness Book Of Records is entering the Emirates stadium in their next volume as the largest morgue in the planet.

These reasons (and countless others) have made the North London Derby at White Hart Lane the derby in the world. You can discount your Milan derby. They share a ground for heavens sake. You can discount your Manchester derby. Most of the United supporters don’t reside within a hundred miles of the city. You can discount the Merseyside derby. Any derby that has opposing supporters sitting together and have no animosity is not a real derby. And you can discount the Glasgow derby. A lot of their hate is based on religious reasons. Spurs hate Arsenal for no good reason other than they are Arsenal. And that says it all.

The last few derby matches at ‘White Hot Lane’ (as the tabloids love to call it) have ended in draws. Spurs drew 2-2 with their neighbours in the Carling Cup semi final, 1st leg this season, whilst last season saw Tottenham take the lead but only come away with a point after Arsenal equalised (probably by cheating). The last occasion that ‘them lot’ took 3 points was in Martin Jol’s first game in charge for a North London Derby. A highly entertaining game saw Spurs and Arsenal share 9 goals with ‘them lot’ just edging it 4-5. Spurs last took all three points off their bitter enemies in the 1999/2000 season. Spurs won 2-1 thanks to Iverson and Sherwood goals.

The game takes on added importance, for Spurs at least, as the Lilywhites are searching for three points to ensure that they qualify for next seasons UEFA Cup competition. As Arsenal’s season was over months ago the red half of North London are just playing for pride. Someone ought to tell them that they will need more than winning at White Hart Lane to gain any of that. You can keep your ill gotten gains. Your titles won with stifling 1-0 wins. Your cups based on keeping the opposition out and winning on penalties. Your history based on dour, unskilful centre halves. The game is, and always has been, about glory. Playing the game the right way. A few years of pretty football wont change the fact that the Arsenal ‘empire’ is based firmly the need to win, when it should be based on playing for the right to win. You sell your soul when your team will win at any cost. Arsenal sold theirs years ago.

Ledley King should start for Spurs whilst Robbie Keane has been ruled out with a knee injury. Paul Stalteri is training again after his injury and could feature. Young-Pyo Lee is out for the rest of the season. Arsene Wenger had ruled out Ljungberg for Arsenal whilst Fabregas is rated no better than 50/50 after contracting a virus during the week.

I make no bones of my utter dislike and disdain of anything Arsenal. I make no apologies for it either. It is a deep, ingrained hatred (yes, hatred. Strong I know, but truthful) that burns. It is this that makes the North London Derby the greatest derby in the world. Arsenal supporters that come to the Lane tomorrow are most assuredly not welcome, and neither are their team. And the Spurs supporters will not let either of them forget it. I am not advocating violence towards either the team or the fans, that’s just the way it is. A win for Spurs tomorrow will lift my heart and cheer my soul throughout the coming summer. A defeat? Well, a defeat is unthinkable. David Dein left Arsenal earlier this week. I think he jumped ship before it sank.

My final words go out to Martin Jol and his team; This means a lot to us. We, as supporters can, and often do, forgive a lot of poor performances. We will not tolerate anything less than 100% tomorrow. Snap at their heels, breath down their necks, let them know that you are there for every second of every minute of the whole match. When we have the ball hit them fast. Play it on the ground the way we know that you can. Ram that ball into Jens Lehman’s net so often that his head spins. When they have the ball do everything in your power to get it back. As supporters we will not let up for one second. We expect you to do the same. Be proud to wear the white shirt of Spurs. Be proud to wear the cockerel on your chest. Make us proud to be your supporters. Good luck boys, we are behind you every step of the way.

Enjoy the match.

Audere Est Facere.