Arsenal – Tottenham Hotspur

1. Hello all and welcome to live coverage of the North London derby between Spurs and Arsenal.

2. Team news is in and for Spurs David Bentley is called-up for his first start of the season. In the same fixture last year he scored that memorable 40-yard volley. Anyone for lightning striking twice?

3. Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Diaby, Bendtner, van Persie, Arshavin.

4. Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, King, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Jenas, Keane, Crouch

5. The players are out on the Emirates pitch and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a goal-fest akin to what we saw in last year's 4-4 draw.

6. 1'

   And we're off.

7. 1'

   100th annivesrary of the first derby when Woolwich Arsenal beat Spurs 1-0.

8. 1'

   Early foul by Wilson Palacios inside the first ten seconds.

9. 2'

   Almunia back between the sticks for Arsenal and this will be a big game for the Spaniard.

10. 2'

    Early effort for Bendtner. Tight link-up play between van Persie and Arshavin and the Danish striker fired over from 20 yards.

11. 2'

    Fabregas drives into the penalty area but Keane and King sandwich him out and it's a goal-kick.

12. 3'

    Song concdeded a suspect corner after spooning it back towards Almunia.

13. 3'

    Crouch, King and Jenas in the box.

14. 4'

    Poor delivery by Bentley and he follows it up with a deliberate handball. A bit lucky to escape without a booking there. Though there was no danger.

15. 5'

    Arshavin sporting a new bowl-cut hairstyle advanced down the left and Ledley King puts it out for a throw-in depe in Spurs territory.

16. 5'

    Gallas brings it out of defence and looks for van Persie but corluka wins it in the air.

17. 6'

    Vermaelen just beat Crouch in the air. Impressive from the Belgian.

18. 6'

    Twinkle-toes Arsjhavin tiptoes through and he's won a corner.

19. 6'

    Short corner in towards the Russian from Fabregas but Crouch defends well. That's right a striker actually made a good challenge!

20. 7'

    Shocking challenge from Bentley on Vermaelen. Very nasty tackle and incredibly he's escaped without a booking.

21. 8'

    Bentley could have had two yellows in the first eight minutes!

22. 9'

    Bentley goes for an audacious left-foot volley 35-yards out.

23. 9'

    But he can't re-create last season's impressive effort with his wrong foot and the ball flies harmlessly over.

24. 10'

    Jenas powers through the middle but he's outmuscled by the imposing Gallas.

25. 11'

    Arshavin threads it through to Bendtner but he's offside.

26. 11'

    Arshavin on the right now and Bendtner switching to the left. It's a flexible system Wenger's playing and all of the forward players are pretty interchangeable.

27. 12'

    Gallas gives the ball away but Clichy wins it back and speeds down the left on the counter. He finds Arshavin but it's a disappointing effort easily picked up by Gomes.

28. 13'

    Crouch tries an overhead kick from the edge of the area...he messes it up though.

29. 14'

    Assou-Ekotto with a huge shoulder barge on Fabregas but it's unfair and it's a free-kick.

30. 15'

    Van Persie's free-kick flies towards Gallas but he can only get a slight touch and it's a goal-kick.

31. 16'

    Another foul this time Bassong and Spurs have given away plenty of free-kicks early doors. Still no yellows from referee Clattenburg though.

32. 17'

    Arsenal have been the better side so far and Spurs' chances of picking up a first win over their neighbours since 1999 looking slim at the moment.

33. 17'

    Bendtner late on Palacios but unsurprisingly, no card from the ref.

34. 18'

    40-yard diagonal ball from Bentley to Crouch, the big striker nods it down to Keane who is through. Great challenge by Song and it's a goal-kick in the end.

35. 19'

    Unbelievable save from Gomes!

36. 20'

    Arshavin crossed it in to Fabregas whose left foot effort was palmed away with the outstretched hand of Gomes. Don't know how he clawed that one away. Great save from the Brazilian.

37. 21'

    Bentley's cross and Almunia drops it but no Spurs players anticipate the mistake and he cleans up. A bit shaky.

38. 21'

    Spurs coming back into it a little now and 'Arry will be wanting the balls out to the wings so Bentley can get some more crosses in for Crouch.

39. 22'

    Little fact for you. Mr Redknapp has not beaten Arsene Wenger with any of his teams.

40. 23'

    Spurs spreading it around nicely at the back. but it's given away to Van persie who returns the favour.

41. 24'

    Arsenal have it back though, some careless play by both sides. Fabregas looks to release Arshavin but again, it's given away.

42. 25'

    Palacios crosses to Crouch who tries to nod it down to Keane again. But Gallas powers the ball away from him. The French defender has been excellent so far.

43. 26'

    Jenas advances and Crouch has it down the right wing now.

44. 27'

    Huddlestone crosses for Keane who wins the header but he can't keep it down and there's no trouble for Almunia.

45. 28'

    Sagna crosses but Ledley King clears. Assou- Ekotto's left-foot clearance is straight to Arshavin who feeds in Van Persie. But the angle's too tight and he scuffs his effort poorly wide.

46. 29'

    Diaby fouls Palacios.

47. 29'

    King and Bassong foward for this one. Poor delivery from Bentley and the Gunners clear their lines.

48. 30'

    Arsenal press as Van Persie and Sagna combine well but agian the final pass just missing and King stays strong.

49. 31'

    Arshavin tries to find a way through but Arsenal content to keep possession,

50. 32'

    Patient build-up from Arsenal and it eventually falls to Arshavin who drags his shot wide.

51. 32'

    Bendtner looks like he's tweaked his groin and could be maing way soon.

52. 33'

    Huddlestone releases Corluka down the right and he crosses it in towards Crouch. Cracking interception by Vermaelen though and Arsenal can breathe a sigh of relief.

53. 34'

    Eduardo is set to come on.

54. 34'

    Arshavin breaks through again.A nd he hits it with his left but great covering from Corluka who diverts it out for a corner.

55. 35'

    Van Persie's corner straight to Gomes.

56. 35'

    ARSENAL SUB: Eduardo on for Bendtner.

57. 36'

    For those of you who don't know. Carling Cup quarter final draw took place earlier: Blackburn v Chelsea, Portsmouth v Aston Villa , Manchester United v Spurs and Man City v Arsenal.

58. 37'

    Jenas feeds Keane and he's through but he can't quite get the ball under control and Arsenal escape again.

59. 38'

    Assou-Ekotto picks the pocket of Eduardo and he's away down the left. his overhit cross finds Bentley who loops one into the box but Almunia collects.

60. 39'

    Sagna breaks down the right and crosses into Van Persie who's in space. But he doesn't realise how much time he has and takes a swing with his unfavoured right. Scuffed into the hands of Gomes.

61. 40'

    Unusually for Arsenal, Sagna has some space at the back but chooses to hoof it long.

62. 40'

    Van Persie's offside. I don't think that long-ball tactic will be used again.

63. 41'

    GOAL! Van Persie

64. 41'

    Arsenal 1-0 Spurs. Sagna's right-wing cross is met by the Dutchman who gets the goal. Poor from Gomes.

65. 42'

    Goal! Fabregas.

66. 42'

    Arsenal 2-0 Spurs. Straight from kick-off Van Persie wins it back and releases Fabregas who advances before hammering a low right-foot shot past Gomes.

67. 43'

    Unbelievable stuff and shocking defending from Spurs for the second. They just switched off completely.

68. 43'

    Corner from Arsenal now. Surely not a thrid?

69. 44'

    Gomes punches it away.

70. 45'

    What a frenetic end to the half. Gomes should probably have saved the first one. It was fumbled into the back of the net after Van Persie met it with his right-foot ahead of King.

71. 45'

    What can Harry do to change things at half-time? I reckon Kranjcar could be an option for the disappointing Bentley.

72. 45'

    Half-time whistle goes. Arsenal 2-0 Spurs. Incredible end to the half with two goals in 49 seconds. Neither side had looked amazing but Arsenal have devastated Spurs who will certainly need to come out fighting. But the Gunners gave away a two-goal lead at West Ham last week so it could happen.

73. 45'

    Grab a cup of tea and I will see you in 15 minutes.

74. 46'

    And we're off. No changes as yet.

75. 46'

    Spurs chasing down a lot quicker so far. I reckon 'Arry gave them the hairdryer treatment at haf-time.

76. 47'

    Bentley particular showing a lot of desire to close down but Sagna gets the bettr of him there.

77. 48'

    King launches it forward but Gallas heads clear and Diaby picks it up, spreading the ball to Clichy.

78. 48'

    Van Persie wins the foul from Palacios and launches it towards Eduardo who pressures Corluka into knocking it out.

79. 49'

    Van Persie into the area and works it well. He crosses to Arshavin. Gomes tips it out the path of the Russian and King is on-hand to block the rebound effort of Diaby.

80. 50'

    Van Persie crosses but it's away by King. Arsenal re-group and look to start again.

81. 51'

    Assou-Ekotto's long ball to Crouch who cushions a header to Bentley. But the winger's return ball isn't good.

82. 52'

    Eduardo clean through but Gomes is out quickly and makes a smart save.

83. 52'

    Mix-up in the penalty area for Arsenal. Keane almost latches onto it and Gallas fires it into Sagna but fortunately for the Gunners it's in Almunia's hands.

84. 53'

    Good save by Gomes looking at the replay. Eduardo just tried to lift it over the keeper but the Brazilian was up to the challenge.

85. 54'

    Gareth Bale preparing to come on for Spurs.

86. 54'

    SPURS SUB: Bale on for Huddlestone

87. 55'

    More natural looking 4-4-2 for Spurs now with Bale on the left, Bentley on the right and Palacios and Jenas in the midddle.

88. 56'

    Handball by Gallas on the edge of the area. Free-kick in a dangerous position for Spurs.

89. 57'

    Bentley looks like he fancies it from the left edge of the box.

90. 57'

    Great save from Almunia! Although on second look it's straight at him. Corner Spurs.

91. 58'

    Poor corner from Bentley but Spurs have a throw-in in Arsenal territory.

92. 58'

    Nothing comes of it as Diaby clears.

93. 59'

    GOAL! Van Persie.

94. 59'

    Arsenal 3-0 Spurs. Confusion as Sagna is handed the advantage after a foul on Eduardo. He crosses it in and it's between the keeper and King. It falls to the Dutchman who knocks it in. Poor defending from king again.

95. 60'

    33-1 were the odds for a Van Persie hat-trick before the game. Wish I'd stuck a fiver on!

96. 61'

    Crouch in the book.

97. 62'

    Keane offside. Bentley was in acres on the right and Jenas should have looked the other way for his through-ball.

98. 63'

    Foul by Song on Bale just inside the Arsenal half.

99. 63'

    Assou-Ekotto lauches it into the box and it's met by Crouch but it's a tame header by the big man.

100. 64'

     SPURS SUB: Pavlyuchenko on for Keane.

101. 65'

     Arsenal breaking at pace now with Arshavin. Eduardo plays it in and it looks like there's no danger but King diverts it back into the path of Arshavin. Fortunately nothing comes of it.

102. 66'

     Spurs playing a high line but Eduardo is clean through here in so much space. He must score.

103. 66'

     He hasn't! A scuffed effort in the end. He had all the time in the world but he's scuffed it wide.

104. 67'

     Ledley King is having a nightmare today.

105. 68'

     Arsenal free-kick. Wenger's thrown his jacket off. Chill-out Arsene, your team's winning 3-0!

106. 68'

     Poor cross from Bale and a simiarly dismal effort from Assou Ekotto.

107. 69'

     Looks like there's no chance of Spurs rocking the Arsenal boat here. Very poor from Harry Redknapp's side.

108. 69'

     Arsenal corner now. Fabregas to take.

109. 69'

     Straight into Gomes' grateful grasp.

110. 70'

     Song with just so much space. Spurs are not closing down at all.

111. 70'

     Van Persie's through-ball to Arshavin but it's a solid saving tackle from Corluka.

112. 71'

     Cries of ole all around the Emirates as Arsenal knock it around with consumate ease.

113. 72'

     Spurs looking to counter but Arsenal have numbers back quickly.

114. 72'

     Bentley with a good ball to Crouch but it's a tough angle and it's another easy claim for Almunia.

115. 73'

     So much for Robbie Keane's claim that Spurs have a better squad than the Gunners. Unsurprisingly he got a fair bit of abuse from the Emirates supporters when he was subbed.

116. 74'

     Pavlyuchenko shoots. Specualtive effort and again no test for Almunia.

117. 75'

     Crouch tries to lift it forward but anothe poor final ball. Spurs just haven't looked dangerous at any point in this game.

118. 76'

     Foul from Vermaelen and he's going in the book. Wasn't necessary to tackle Corluka as he was on the halfway line.

119. 77'

     ARSENAL SUB: Eboue for Arshavin.

120. 78'

     Replay of the Vermaelen foul shows he did get a touch on the ball. Sorry Thomas.

121. 79'

     Jenas slips as he passes and CLichy donw the left wing now. He looks shocked by how much space he's got.

122. 79'

     Free-kick Arsenal.

123. 80'

     Fabregas curls it in and Eduardo heads it straight down Gomes' throat.

124. 80'

     Eboue offside.

125. 81'

     I reckon had Defoe, Lennon and Modric been playing Spurs would have been significantly better. They've had nor creative outlet whatsoever.

126. 82'

     Song releases Clichy and his cross is knocked out for a corner.

127. 82'

     Diaby takes his eye off the ball. He had an unmarked header. well i say header, but it's come off his shoulder instead!

128. 83'

     Arsenal corner again.

129. 83'

     Fabregas to take.

130. 84'

     Straight to Gomes.

131. 84'

     Pavlyuchenko to Crouch and it's another weak header from the Spurs striker. Frustratingly unthreatening.

132. 85'

     SPURS SUB: Hutton on for Corluka

133. 85'

     ARSENAL SUB: Ramsey for Van Persie.

134. 85'

     Standing ovation for RVP fromt he rsenal faithful. I'm sure he would have fancied staying on to go for his hat-trick.

135. 86'

     Bale released down the left and he crosses to Hutton who knocks it back to Bentley. A spooned left-foot effort from Bentley goes back to the offside Bale. Bentley's had a poor day at the office.

136. 87'

     Hutton gives it away, but Bassong wins a free-kick.

137. 88'

     Eduardo down the right and he and Fabregas content to exchange passes. It eventually floats harmlessly into Gomes.

138. 89'

     Assou-Ekotto crosses in and it is just rubbish. Sums up Spurs' day.

139. 90'

     Three minutes of added time to play.

140. 91'

     Spurs free-kick on the right side of the Arsenal area. I'm sure Bale will try his luck from here

141. 91'

     No it's Bentley to cross and Almunia unconvincingly flaps it away.

142. 92'

     To give Spurs credit they are looking to go forward now. Shame they didn't try harder in the othe 91 minutes.

143. 93'

     Arsenal break now. Ramsey's away.

144. 93'

     And Bassong looks to have tweaked his hamstring there. He's pulled up and looks in some pain.

145. 93'

     He comes off but all the subs have been made. Spurs down to ten men for the last few seconds.

146. 93'

     FULL-TIME. Arsenal 3-0 Spurs. Comfortable victory for the Gunners. A twentieth game without defeat against Spurs for Wenger's side. Poor from Spurs and a terrible day for captain Ledley King who was at fault for all three goals. Arsenal go second, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference. Spurs stay fourth but they will need to improve significantly if they want to still be there come May.

147. 93'

     Cheers folks and see you again next time. We've got live text commentary of Manchester United v Blackburn from 17:15 GMT so feel free to join us for that.

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