Early Tottenham team news ahead of Arsenal as Ange Postecoglou confirms 31-year-old will start

Tottenham have won just one of their past six meetings against Arsenal and will go into this weekend’s game looking to halt Mikel Arteta’s quest to win their first Premier League title in 20 years.

The Lilywhites have seen their preparations for the game disrupted by two injuries: Italian defender Destiy Udogie and English midfielder Oliver Skipp. However, the absence of Udogie has been the topic for discussion with manager Ange Postecoglou confirming Welsh defender Ben Davies will start tomorrow night’s game.

The Spurs manager told reporters: “Ben [Davies] will start.”

Tottenham looking for a strong end to a challenging season

Arsenal could win consecutive league games at Spurs for the first time since 1988. The way this season has turned out is not the way Ange Postecoglou would have envisaged after his first two months in north London. 

When he came in, he had an immediate impact, winning eight of his first 10 league games and drawing the other two. There had been talks of putting up a title challenge, aided by an early exit from the League Cup and lack of European football, they looked like the real deal. 

But they have fallen since, injuries to squad players haven't helped and key players leaving for the AFCON and Asian Cup halfway through the campaign finally caught up with them. 

But against Arsenal, they have the chance to put an end to a rival's title aspiration and power their own fading Champions League aspirations. 

To defeat Arsenal they must ensure they improve their defensive line. They have kept only two clean sheets at home this season, only relegation-threatened Burnley and Sheffield United have a worse record. 

Games between these two sides defy form and logic so expect another fiery encounter in north London as pride and points take centre stage.