EGX ends week in green area on 23 Oct.    Egypt's Curative Organisation, VACSERA sign deal to boost health, vaccine cooperation    Egypt, EU sign €75m deal to boost local socio-economic reforms, services    Egypt, EU sign €4b deal for second phase of macro-financial assistance    Egypt's East Port Said receives Qatari aid shipments for Gaza    Egypt joins EU's €95b Horizon Europe research, innovation programme    Oil prices jump 3% on Thursday    Egypt steps up oversight of medical supplies in North Sinai    Egypt to issue commemorative coins ahead of Grand Egyptian Museum opening    Suez Canal signs $2bn first-phase deal to build petrochemical complex in Ain Sokhna    Inaugural EU-Egypt summit focuses on investment, Gaza and migration    Egypt, Sudan discuss boosting health cooperation, supporting Sudan's medical system    Omar Hisham announces launch of Egyptian junior and ladies' golf with 100 players from 15 nations    Egypt records 18 new oil, gas discoveries since July; 13 integrated into production map: Petroleum Minister    Defying US tariffs, China's industrial heartland shows resilience    Pakistan, Afghanistan ceasefire holds as focus shifts to Istanbul talks    Egypt's non-oil exports jump 21% to $36.6bn in 9M 2025: El-Khatib    Egypt, France agree to boost humanitarian aid, rebuild Gaza's health sector    Egyptian junior and ladies' golf open to be held in New Giza, offers EGP 1m in prizes    The Survivors of Nothingness — Part Two    Health Minister reviews readiness of Minya for rollout of universal health insurance    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt launches official website for Grand Egyptian Museum ahead of November opening    The Survivors of Nothingness — Episode (I)    Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    Egypt successfully hosts Egyptian Amateur Open golf championship with 19-nation turnout    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al Ismaelia launches award-winning 'TamaraHaus' in Downtown Cairo revival    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile actions, calls for global water cooperation    Egypt unearths New Kingdom military fortress on Horus's Way in Sinai    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Karnak's hidden origins: Study reveals Egypt's great temple rose from ancient Nile island    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Wembley will feel like home for Arsenal, says Merson
Published in Ahram Online on 09 - 02 - 2018

Arsenal's trip to Wembley for Saturday's crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur will feel like a home game because of their outstanding record at the national stadium, according to former Arsenal forward Paul Merson.
The sides meet at Wembley for the first time since 1993 in a lunchtime kickoff that has taken on huge importance in the battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Tottenham have shaken off their early teething problems at their temporary home and are unbeaten in their last 12 league games at Wembley - showing similar form to last season when they were invincible at the now demolished White Hart Lane.
But Arsenal won on their last nine visits to Wembley, including last year's FA Cup final against Chelsea, and that statistic could be vital.
"If it was at White Hart Lane, no chance," Merson said on Sky Sports of Arsenal's prospects. "Arsenal have lost six away games this season, but have got one of the best records at Wembley in recent years, so this is a bit of a home game for them."
A new-look attack featuring 55 million pounds ($76 million)signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will fuel Arsenal's hopes of closing the gap on their neighbours.
Although in 24-year-old Harry Kane, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Tottenham have the best striker in the world, at least statistically.
Kane reached the 100-goal milestone when he salvaged a vital point for his side with a 95th-minute penalty in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool last weekend and has been in stunning form since Tottenham's 2-0 loss at Arsenal in November.
That match was the only time Kane failed to find the net in the league against Arsenal, against whom he has scored six times in six league matches.
He has 35 goals in 36 games for club and country, including three hat-tricks, this season and is ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.
"If you look at the numbers then, no," Wenger said when asked if there was a better striker in the world.
"I can talk and talk and talk, but it's the numbers which will show that."
While Arsenal were impressive when dismantling Everton last week, when Aaron Ramsey scored a hat-trick, their form away from home has been erratic and lost at Bournemouth and Swansea City in their last two road trips.
Merson said their best hope of a result on Saturday was to rein in the gung-ho style and play on the break.
"Arsenal have the ammunition to hurt Tottenham. If Wenger turned round and said: 'Aubameyang, (Mesut) Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Ramsey, you four go and get on with it', and the other six keep it tight then I would give them a great chance.
"But the two Arsenal full backs will be playing as wingers after five minutes and you know they'll be all over the shop defensively."
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