Spurs hoping positive vibes turn derby tide

Postecoglou will tell players to end meek approach of recent years

- Dan Kilpatrick

THERE is a chance that Arsenal could remind Tottenham of how far they still have to go under Ange Postecoglou when the rivals meet at the Emirates Stadium in Sunday’s north London derby.

The Gunners are four years into a robustly-financed project under Mikel Arteta and finished 24 points clear of their neighbours last season, while Spurs are just six games into Postecoglou’s rebuild, which the head coach has consistently said will take time.

With both clubs unbeaten and level on 13 points from five games, optimism is brimming at either end of the Seven Sisters Road, but Arsenal are further along in their development and should be considered favourites.

Regardless, Postecoglou’s side can be expected to take the game to last season’s runners-up as they have not done away from home in this fixture for years and win, lose or draw, their approach this weekend will matter.

Spurs have tended to wilt at the Emirates in recent seasons, and their record there is abject; they have not won there in the League since November 2010, when Harry Redknapp’s side memorably came from 2-0 down. In 12 away derbies since, Spurs have lost eight, twice been thrashed 5-2 (in consecutive meetings), twice squandered 2-0 leads and generally been meek, particularly in their past three visits.