Arsenal

Mark Lawrenson takes on mixed martial arts legend Paul 'Semtex' Daley in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Arsenal endured a horrible night in Thursday's north London derby, but they cannot afford to dwell on what went wrong for them against Tottenham.

It's typical Arsenal, really, because they always seem to get themselves in a good position but whenever something goes against them, they just seem to collapse.

At times this season it has looked like they have become stronger mentally - but they haven't.

They are under pressure now, too.

If Spurs beat Burnley on Sunday, and I think they will, then Arsenal will have to win at St James' Park or fourth place will be out of their hands on the final day of the season.

We know Tottenham have a record of messing up too, but they play bottom side Norwich on the final day and Arsenal obviously do not want to be relying on the Canaries to do them a favour.

We all know how much Newcastle have improved in the past few months, and they have been very strong at St James' Park. Beating them there is a very big ask.

Paul's prediction: This is going to be close but I think we will see a response from Arsenal here. 1-2

Find out how Lawro and Paul 'Semtex' Daley have done with the rest of the weekend's Premier League fixtures

Key Newcastle pair Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson are in contention to start against Arsenal after making their returns from injury as substitutes against Manchester City.

Winger Ryan Fraser could be involved after a five-match absence with a thigh problem.

Arsenal will assess central defenders Ben White and Gabriel, who have both been nursing injuries.

Rob Holding is suspended as a result of his sending off against Tottenham.

Pick and share your Magpies XI

Who makes your Gunners XI?

Arsenal are considering selling centre-back Gabriel this summer, with Juventus interested. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Charlene Smith, AFTV, external

I am highly disappointed at the actions of Rob Holding. He was given warnings, he was then given a yellow card, why would you then get yourself sent off?!

I don’t agree with the penalty decision and this is not me being biased. But I don’t see anything wrong with what Cedric Soares did.

It’s disappointing that the game resulted in a 3-0 loss. We started so well and we’re the better side. We have put more pressure on ourselves now to secure a top-four finish.

However, I have faith in my team rising to the occasion and playing and getting the results for Champions League football next season. #LetsGo

Image source, Getty Images

We asked where the north London derby defeat leaves Arsenal in the race for the top four.

Here are some of your comments:

Alec: I guess it's classic Arsenal for us to choose the hardest scenario of losing to Spurs and having to win the last two games. We've definitely improved this season but it's clear we still need to shed some poorer performers and sign some extra talent to be able to challenge the top sides home and abroad.

Brian: Truthfully both the penalty and sending off was over the top, hastened by exaggerated screams from player and surrounding Spurs players and the ref's intimidation. Indeed, Mikel, a beautiful game was spoiled.

Kiran: I am so disappointed and annoyed, we played really well in the first 10 minutes, but after that we were shocking and poor as Holding was making silly challenges on Son. He ruined the game for us, he should have acted smart.

Keith: The Champions League fourth position was decided last night. Arsenal are nowhere near good enough to re-enter the top European league. Chelsea opened the door for Arsenal to get third a few weeks ago when they got slaughtered by Brentford, Arsenal firmly shut that door by getting slaughtered by Palace, Brighton and Southampton.

How are you feeling about Arsenal's top-four chances now?

Despite losing to Tottenham on Thursday night, Arsenal's Champions League fate is still in their own hands.

The Gunners travel to St James' Park in the Premier League on Monday, where only a win will do if they are to ensure they stay ahead of Spurs in the top four.

Who should Mikel Arteta choose to replace the suspended Rob Holding - and would you make changes in the forward line?

It's time to pick your Arsenal line-up

Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson will hold talks with Mikel Arteta about his future after a year-long loan at Feyenoord. Other Premier League clubs are interested in the Englishman, but the Gunners remain his priority. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Meanwhile, Manchester City attacking midfielder Raheem Sterling, expects to join one of Europe's elite clubs if he leaves the Etihad in the summer, despite strong interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. (The Athletic, subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

Arsenal's poor discipline cost them the north London derby and now the pressure is "massively on", says former Gunners centre-back Matthew Upson.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast, Upson said Rob Holding got caught up in the emotion of the game and his red card left Arsenal with an impossible task.

"They really lost their discipline when it came to being over-physical," Upson said.

"I didn't mind Holding letting Son Heung-min know that he was there and putting a marker down - you have to let them know that you are there.

"But he got totally caught up in it and took his eye off everything else. The red card has played a huge factor in the outcome."

Arsenal still have their fate in their own hands and know that winning both their last two games will seal Champions League football next season.

"They are still in the driving seat but they wanted to put it to bed," Upson said. "They're in a difficult position now because Spurs have all the momentum.

"It's all about having the mental capacity and ability to go again - Arsenal have to show that."

Full analysis on the north London derby is available now on BBC Sounds

Where does this result leave Arsenal in the race for the top four? Have your say here

Image source, Reuters

Former Tottenham midfielder Gustavo Poyet believes Thursday's win over Arsenal will propel Spurs into the Champions League, but says it will depend on how the Gunners react.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Poyet praised his old club's approach to the north London derby, saying they were "all over Arsenal" in the first half.

"They played the occasion so well and really went for the game," he said. "Arsenal couldn't handle it.

"As for the red card, I don't think one person in the whole world will disagree with it. It was coming."

Poyet credits Spurs as having both the momentum and the easier final two games, although he recognises Arsenal still have their destiny in their own hands.

"The end of season is always tricky for every team," he said. "It depends how Arsenal react.

"They're so inconsistent. Sometimes you look at them and think they're the side Mikel Arteta wants - the next week they're not. They're so up and down.

"It's great for football fans to have the top four having something riding on it going into the last week."

Listen back to the whole interview with Poyet on BBC Sounds from 2'18'00

Image source, Getty Images

• Tottenham have won three consecutive home league games against Arsenal for the first time since August 1961.

• The Gunners suffered their heaviest league defeat by Spurs since April 1983 (5-0), while this was the first time they have trailed by more than two goals in a Premier League fixture against them.

• Harry Kane has been directly involved in 52 goals in London derby matches in the Premier League (41 goals, 11 assists), overtaking Frank Lampard (50) with Thursday's two goals. Only Thierry Henry (55) now has more combined goals and assists than Kane in this fixture in Premier League history.

• Arsenal have had 13 players sent off in the Premier League since Mikel Arteta took charge in December 2019, which is five more than any other side during this period.

Image source, Reuters

Phil McNulty, chief football writer at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Arsenal must recover quickly from a north London derby where nothing went right and Spurs turned up the heat in the battle for the top four and a place in next season’s Champions League.

Manager Mikel Arteta was furious with the officials after the game, not even allowing himself to speak about specific decisions.

It is a fair guess, however, that his anger came from referee Paul Tierney’s decision to award a penalty for Cedric Soares’ nudge on Son Heung-min and the second yellow awarded against Rob Holding for a block on the South Korean that saw him sent off after 33 minutes.

Gabriel’s late injury also struck further at Arsenal’s defensive resources, but Arteta has one major positive to point at when he starts to pick his players up again.

Arsenal’s task is clear and in their own hands. If they win at Newcastle United and at home against Everton they are in the Champions League.

This has to be the big goal for Arsenal, because it would be a bitter disappointment if they missed out at the last gasp after being in pole position for so long and with no European football this season to act as any sort of distraction.

How are you feeling after the derby defeat, Arsenal fans? Will you finish fourth? Let us know here

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Sport: "I cannot give you an honest assessment because I will be suspended for a long time. I like to be honest and I cannot give an honest assessment.

"I am so proud of my players, this game is gone, we've lost it, we accept it. We move to Newcastle."

Thoughts on the sending off? "I don't know. The decision was made and this game is gone."

Complaints about the penalty? "I cannot give my opinion. I will be suspended. I think you can read my body language very clearly."

How do you pick the players up? "I have already done. This game is history and all our focus is Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle. I told them I was so proud of them and if we do what we did in the first half an hour here we will be fine against Newcastle.

"I worry a lot about today. I really, really worry about today but I don't worry about the performance of my players.

"I want to be where we deserve to be."

There's one change for Tottenham from the Liverpool draw as Davinson Sanchez comes into the first XI. Cristian Romero is not in the squad.

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Sanchez, Dier, Davies, Emerson, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.

Subs: Winks, Rodon, Gollini, Bergwijn, Lucas Moura, White, Scarlett, Devine, Matthew Craig.

Arsenal are unchanged from the team that beat Leeds last-time out. Bukayo Saka was a doubt but is fit enough to start, while Ben White is on the bench.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Elneny, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Nketiah.

Subs: Leno, White, Lacazette, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Swanson, Patino.

Mark Lawrenson takes on Tottenham fan Majestic and Arsenal supporter Joel Corry, in the latest round of Premier League predictions.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

I am not really expecting a good match here in the usual sense because it will be played at 100mph but it will be a good one to watch even if the quality is not there.

Tottenham are the team who have to win, but it is going to be interesting to see how Arsenal approach it. They don't find it easy to control most games, let alone games like this one where there will be loads of bookings and maybe not much football played.

I don't actually think there will be that many goals either, and it is very hard to pick a winner.

Majestic's prediction: Arsenal are going to score, but we are going to win. If we score one, a couple more will follow because that is the way Spurs are at the moment. If we can get in front and they come at us, that is where the gaps come. 3-1

Joel's prediction: I see a lot of goals, and a lot of drama but of course I am going to back Arsenal to come out on top. I fancy Eddie Nketiah to score again, because he is on fire at the moment. 2-3

Find out how Lawro, Majestic and Joel think the rest of the midweek Premier League fixtures will go

Alistair Bruce-Ball, Chris Sutton and Statman Dave reunite for another week of fantasy football fun.

After a very controversial ruling in Sutton Death last week against Julien Laurens, more evidence is brought to the podcast from 5 Live journalists and listeners.

Ali, Chris and Statman also look ahead to the final few gameweeks of the fantasy football season and whether Dave could potentially catch Ali.

Plus, West Ham striker Michail Antonio joins the pod to play a game of Sutton Death.

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte is expected to select the same starting XI that drew against Liverpool at Anfield.

Matt Doherty, Sergio Reguilon, Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga all remain on the sidelines.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says forward Bukayo Saka and defender Ben White both face fitness tests before the game.

Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney are definitely out for the Gunners.

Would you name an unchanged Tottenham side?

If he is fit does Ben White return to your Gunners side?