Arsenal vs Tottenham north London derby could become Champions League play-off with new date targeted

The potentially crucial north London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal is being lined up for the penultimate week of the season, raising the possibility that it could effectively be a play-off for Champions League football.

While no new date for the postponed match has been confirmed, Tottenham and Arsenal are expecting the game to be played midweek in the week starting May 9, ahead of the penultimate weekend of the campaign.

There are no European fixtures that week, making the date particularly appealing for broadcasters.

Fourth-placed Arsenal currently lead Spurs in fifth by three points, with a game in hand over their rivals.

The original fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, scheduled for January 16, was postponed at Arsenal's request after their squad was decimated by injuries and international call-ups.

The decision frustrated Spurs because the Gunners had just one confirmed Covid case in their squad at the time, and the Premier League has since changed the rules to make it more difficult for clubs to request postponements.

The rearranged derby is likely to be shown live on Sky Sports, who were due to broadcast the original clash.

Arsenal beat Tottenham 3-1 at the Emirates back in September, with three goals in the first 35 minutes courtesy of Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka.

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