It's win or bust for Arsenal and Spurs ahead of crunch north London derby

By Neil Ashton for MailOnline

Published: 18:30 EDT, 14 March 2014 | Updated: 09:55 EDT, 15 March 2014

As Arsene Wenger prepared for Sunday’s north London derby at White Hart Lane, he described the 90-minute trial that takes place in the technical area each week.

The sentences are tough, with a judge and jury waiting at every turn as Arsenal’s hopes of winning a fourth Premier League title recede after a tricky run of results.

The 5-1 defeat at Liverpool, the 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United and the 1-0 loss at Stoke City have left them seven points off the pace. It feels like it is all slipping away again. A win at Tottenham, where latest manager Tim Sherwood appears vulnerable and uncertain about the future, would do them a power of good.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Sherwood and Wenger preview the north London derby

Prepared: Arsene Wenger takes his Arsenal side to White Hart Lane for a north London derby with Tottenham on Sunday

Dejected: Tottenham players (from left to right) Emmanuel Adebayor, Paulinho and Sandro look glum during their 3-1 Europa League defeat to Benfica

Magic moment: Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring the decisive goal against Spurs in September

So much is riding on this traditionally fiery affair for all concerned.

‘I’m always pleading for stability and maybe you could say I’m pleading for myself,’ said Wenger.

‘It will become more and more difficult because in every single game there is a trial happening now on what the manager has done right or wrong. The stability will certainly be much more difficult.’

Wenger spoke highly of Sherwood on Friday, genuinely concerned by the negativity that has enveloped the club since their 4-0 defeat at Chelsea and Thursday’s 3-1 home loss to Benfica.

Arsenal’s manager respected him as a player, even overlooking a sly elbow in the direction of former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit during the derby in 1999. ‘He was a committed guy,’ joked Wenger.

‘I don’t know Sherwood as a coach, but I like the fact he has learned his job and got his chance. In England you rightly complain that young managers don’t get a chance. When you get one, you have to support him.’

Under pressure: Spurs boss Tim Sherwood reacts after Benfica go 2-0 up at White Hart Lane

Fierce rivalry: Etienne Capoue plays a pass during the opening north London derby of the season

Backing: Wenger has called for Sherwood to be given a chance to prove himself at Tottenham

That patience is already wearing  thin at White Hart Lane and the atmosphere threatens to be poisonous if they slip up at home to their great rivals. Sherwood drew attention to the work he was doing at White Hart Lane with his ill-conceived outburst at his players after the defeat at Stamford Bridge. Suddenly the pressure is on.

Despite his allegiance to the club, the supporters have turned, doubting his ability to steer Tottenham towards a top-four finish. He has as good as admitted it is impossible with this squad.

On March 3 last year, Andre Villas-Boas fatefully claimed Arsenal were in a ‘negative spiral’ of results after putting Wenger’s team away at White Hart Lane. Then, Spurs were third on 54 points, seven ahead of Arsenal with 10 to play in the Premier League. But Villas-Boas blew it.

‘We always finish strong,’ said Wenger on Friday. ‘We have the strength and everybody at this club is focused for this game. There are moments in a season when you have to be there. This is one of them. Last season we won the last nine games. We have 10 games to go, plus the Cup games, and it’s good to be inspired by that.’

Battle: Aaron Ramsey (left) and Mousa Dembele (right) tussle for the ball at the Emirates this season

Missed opportunity: Former Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas threw away a seven-point advantage over Arsenal last season

Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League on Tuesday has hit Wenger hard — it always does — and yet there was a defiant air about him on Friday.

Arsenal have beaten Tottenham twice this season — once in the league, once in the FA Cup — and  Sherwood’s side are vulnerable after the events of the past week. Jan Vertonghen needs to make amends after his slip last Saturday allowed Samuel Eto’o to open the scoring for Chelsea.

‘Every game gets bigger and bigger,’ admitted the Tottenham defender. ‘If you keep on losing, the next game becomes more important. We both need a win now. We have to play better. Some days we look very good, others we don’t look good enough.’

Rivals: Andros Townsend (left) and Kieran Gibbs (right) could face each other again on Sunday

Missing: Arsenal will be without Mesut Ozil against Spurs after the German midfielder injured his hamstring against Bayern Munich

Spurs have conceded seven in their last two games. Against a team with Arsenal’s pedigree — even without the creative juices of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil — this will be a tough afternoon for Tottenham.

‘We have good and bad memories there,’ said Wenger. ‘We have drawn two and lost three in the last five years. We cannot speculate on Tottenham fans turning against their side, we must turn up with a performance.’

Without it, Arsenal can wave goodbye to the title.