North London derby power has shifted away from Arsenal towards Tottenham but it's not permanent until they win trophies - TACKLE KEOWN

  • Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown returns to answer more of your questions
  • Former Arsenal defender had his say on the North London derby
  • Keown recalled his favourite derby memories as well as weekend prediction 
  • Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur kick-off weekend's Premier League action  

Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown was back to answer more of your questions as the Premier League returns to the fold.

The focus for the Premier League weekend will focus on the Saturday afternoon kick-off where Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Keown answered all the burning questions ahead of Saturday's 12.30pm showdown.


If you are using the app, please click here to view today’s live blog 

  • Martin Keown

    Host commentator

14:48
FULL-TIME!

Thanks for joining us for another edition of Tackle Keown.

Martin will be back next week to look ahead to a huge weekend of Premier League action.

See you then!

14:47
What is your prediction for the game? From Natasha in Essex

I think this will be a draw, and if it is I’m hoping for a high-scoring 2-2.

The last three north London derbies at the Emirates Stadium have ended 1-1
14:43
What is your composite Arsenal and Tottenham XI? From Daniel in Walthamstow

This team includes players who are available for Saturday’s game:

Lloris (Tottenham); Bellerin (Arsenal), Koscielny (Arsenal), Vertonghen (Tottenham), Rose (Tottenham); Dier (Tottenham); Ramsey (Arsenal), Alli (Tottenham); Eriksen (Tottenham), Kane (Tottenham), Sanchez (Arsenal).

Alexis Sanchez is one of just four Arsenal players in a composite XI selected by Martin Keown
14:38
As an Arsenal player, just how important is the north London derby? From Rob in Islington

You are judged in this game more than any other. You always have to be your best in this game.

I remember watching a north London derby as an apprentice in the early 1980s. In one game, Graham Roberts put Charlie Nicholas into the stand and he disappeared out of view!

As a young player, you realise that you cannot hold back in these games. Even when we played Tottenham in the youth team, we knew this was our game of the season. I think we beat them 9-0 or 9-1 and it felt like we had set down a real marker.

The following season, I think we beat them 6-0 on our way to winning the reserve combination.  If you win, you live off that performance for weeks to come.

Arsenal's Alan Sunderland (left) vies for the ball with Tottenham's Graham Roberts in a 1983 clash
14:31
Which north London derby you played in sticks in the mind the most? From Taylor in Hertfordshire

The one that really sticks out is when Sol Campbell first went back to White Hart Lane in 2001.

I have never seen such anger towards a player. Two of the windows in the back of the coach were put out.

In my career, it did not get more hostile than playing at Galatasaray but that day came close.

We were kept behind in the ground after the game and needed an escort when we left.

Sol Campbell controversially moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001
Spurs fans gave their former captain a hostile reception when he returned to play at the Lane
14:25
What was your favourite north London derby? From Tom in Barnet

May 1999, when we won 3-1 at White Hart Lane.  We didn’t ultimately win the title that year – but Tottenham could not do anything to stop us.

Kanu rounded off the victory by flicking the ball over Luke Young before scoring. There can only have been the width of a cigarette paper between the ball and Young’s head.

Kanu was quite magnificent that night.

Martin Keown celebrates following Arsenal's 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in May 1999
14:17
With Kane returning and Christian Eriksen in lightning form for Denmark last week, surely Arsenal have little chance going into this game? From Connor in Essex

If this was at Wembley or White Hart Lane, I would be expecting Tottenham to win.

But Arsenal are a different animal at home. Maybe it is because everything has to be perfect for them. The familiarity and support teases out more expressive performances.

Arsenal’s support will be more vociferous on Saturday because their dominance has been snatched away.

Tottenham fans used to be so bitter because Arsenal were winning trophies. Now, the Arsenal fans will be angry.

Whatever may be missing from Arsenal’s performance will be made up in the support from their fans. They will make this a white-hot atmosphere for Spurs.

Christian Eriksen scored a hat-trick as Denmark thumped Republic of Ireland 5-1 in a World Cup qualifying play-off this week
14:10
Is it time for Jack Wilshere to return to the starting XI? From Carla in Islington

He will have been watching this international break with great interest. The fact that he has been left out of the England squad will motivate him even more.

If he doesn’t get any football soon, he will become doubly frustrated.

With Jack, the question always used to be, ‘Just how good can he become?’ Now, it is, ‘Can he still do it?’

After Arsenal’s defeat by Manchester City, I argued that it was time for Arsene Wenger to play Wilshere in the Premier League.

This could be the game where Wilshere bursts on to the scene and re-emerges as a player.

Jack WIlshere is hoping to force his way back into the Arsenal side in a bid to reclaim an England place
14:03
Are Arsenal the underdogs? From Jonny in Sussex

This kind of a game is a real leveller.

Everything goes out of the window when Arsenal play Tottenham. These are games you have to play with your head, not your heart.

This game comes at a perfect time for Arsenal to try to reignite their season. They will not be coming into this with any fear.

Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates scoring against Swansea in the Gunners' last domestic game at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners haven't lost a domestic home game since January
13:59
Is Eric Dier better as a midfielder or a defender? From Daryll in Edmonton

Dier is such an outstanding player that he can play in midfield. Ultimately, if England had better midfield players he would be in the back line.

For me, Dier is England’s best central defender. I read this morning that Gareth Southgate intends to play him as a defender at the World Cup.

While that is the right move, he needs to play on the right of a back three rather than in the middle.

If Stones plays on the right he will be exposed. Laurent Koscielny plays on the right of a three for Arsenal because he is best at dealing with the danger at source.

Dier is good enough to play in that position on the right of the three.

I have also been impressed with Harry Maguire. I have watched him from a very young age at Sheffield United and I know Arsenal were looking at him.

Leicester got him for a snip at £17million!

Eric Dier was England captain during the Three Lions' 0-0 draw with Brazil on Tuesday
13:53
Has there been a power shift to Tottenham in north London? From Nick in Stevenage

There was a power shift the moment Tottenham finished above Arsenal last season and beat them to qualification for the Champions League.

But until this Tottenham team starts to win trophies, they have not permanently tipped the balance in their favour.

Dele Alli celebrates scoring during Tottenham's win over Arsenal at White Hart Lane last season, a result confirming Spurs would finish above their north London rivals in the table