Arsenal and Tottenham: North London’s European fate in the hands of Tyne-Wear Rivals

Not long ago Arsenal traveled to the far Northeast of England to take on Newcastle United in what would become the 2010-11 English Premier League game of the season where Arsenal went 0-4 up on their opponents only for Newcastle to storm back in the second period to draw the match 4-4 on level terms.

This season Arsenal cannot allow their trip to Newcastle to end in that manner. Back in London, Tottenham will host Newcastle’s rivals, Sunderland, at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners sit in fourth place on 70 points with a one point lead over their North London rivals. Nothing less than three points from the match will be enough to ensure that Arsene Wenger continues his run of top four finishes.

However, it will be down to the Tyne-Wear Derby rivals to determine whom of the North London Derby rivals will see their European action consist of the UEFA Champions League or the Europa League.

Arsenal will be hoping that Sunderland does them a favor by defeating Tottenham on the road or at least managing a draw. The Black Cats top flight fate was ensured this past Tuesday when Arsenal defeated a fatigued Wigan Athletic side that were fresh off of their FA Cup Final triumph over Manchester City.

If Sunderland can hold Tottenham at bay then they will have repaid their debt and the slate will be clean of the major thanks they owe to Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey for their goals against the Latics.

Tottenham however will be hoping to owe Newcastle a favor after having split their two games this season with wins to one another on home grounds.

Alan Pardew desperately needs a win against Arsenal as a means to help boost the morale of his players and the Tyneside faithful as it has been a disappointing season after last year having been so positive.

Sunderland likewise need a win just as badly to help put their own poor campaign in the past.

Saturday’s final day of English Premier League  action is certain to be exciting and the battle for fourth place is going to be a great one to watch as two of the leagues most famous rivalries will be on the deciding end of the league’s final race to be won.