Campbell expects extra 'spice' in crucial north London derby

Sol Campbell is expecting extra "spice" in
Sunday's north London derby, with Tottenham
chasing a crucial win in their pursuit of the Premier
League title and Arsenal desperate to rescue a top-
four berth.
Spurs, who have won eight straight league games,
are four points adrift of leaders Chelsea following
their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Arsenal have endured another disappointing
campaign in terms of their own title aspirations,
which has seen the pressure increase on manager
Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners beat Leicester City to move to within
four points of fourth-placed Manchester City in
their increasingly difficult bid to qualify for the
Champions League.
Campbell is a man who knows the pressure of
playing on both sides of the divide, having
controversially swapped Spurs for Arsenal in 2001,
and the former England defender is expecting an
even more competitive fixture than normal when
the teams meet in a crucial encounter at White Hart
Lane this weekend.
Speaking to Omnisport, he said: "Do you know
what? It's probably going to be now very important
for both sides.
"There will be obviously one side trying to push
Chelsea, obviously Tottenham are trying to push
them. Then you've got Arsenal, who need to get
that fourth spot.
"It's always competitive, but there will be that knife
edge to it - feeling and atmosphere, because both
teams need a win.
"Usually it sometimes peters out as a draw, but
this time there is a lot at stake. There is pushing to
win the Premiership or pushing for the top four.
"I think it will definitely be a competitive game.
Even more so, that will add to the spice."
Tottenham last finished above their rivals in the
Premier League in the 1994-95 season and blew
their chance last term after being thrashed 5-1 at
Newcastle United on the final day to surrender
second spot to Arsenal.
But Campbell says the Gunners' main concern this
time around is the top four and not finishing above
Mauricio Pochettino's men.
"Tottenham have been pushing for a long time to
get that [finish above Arsenal]," he added.
"They got nipped to that post in the last game of
[last] season. Everyone thought they were going to
finish [above them] and Arsenal kind of just got
there in the end.
"Somehow, I don't think that's going to happen this
time. So the real priority for Arsenal is just to get
that fourth spot."

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