EPL SPOTLIGHT: It's North London derby day...

MATCH TO WATCH: Arsenal v Tottenham (Sunday, Nov 6, 8pm)

North London derbies between Arsenal and Tottenham are never short of entertainment.

But while they might be the only unbeaten team left in the Premier League, Spurs are starting to sputter.

The Lilywhites are winless in six games - they've drawn their last three league matches - and face an uphill task taking on their in-form neighbours at the Emirates.

If they don't wish to be blown away, Spurs will have to raise their game up several notches, which won't be easy after a morale-sapping loss to Bayer Leverkusen in midweek that leaves their Champions League knockout stage hopes in jeopardy.

The last thing they'd need now is to meekly surrender their unbeaten record to their fiercest of rivals.

At least Harry Kane could be back...

 

 

TEAM TO WATCH: Arsenal

Mesut Oezil PHOTO: REUTERS

Of course, few teams are in finer fettle than the Gunners.

Ever since losing 4-3 at home to Liverpool on opening day, Arsene Wenger's men have embarked on a 15-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

After a shaky start, the Gunners look like they have a squad that has proper strength in depth.

While new defender Shkodran Mustafi has helped shore up their backline, Arsenal are back to their devastating best up front with things coming together at the right time for their attackers.

Theo Walcott's acceptance that he is a winger seems to have finally unshackled the potential that led to his transfer from Southampton as a teenager while Alexis Sanchez has been revelation as a striker.

While there is a genuine competition for a starting berth in attack provided by the likes of Olivier Giroud, Alex Iwobi and the revitalised Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wenger has an undoubted gem in Mesut Oezil.

The German maestro's sumptuous winner against Ludogorets in the Champions League simply typifies the confidence flowing through Arsenal's veins at the moment.

 

 

PLAYER TO WATCH: Ilkay Gundogan (MANCHESTER CITY v Middlesbrough, Saturday, Nov 5, 11pm)

PHOTO: REUTERS

While Oezil has been leading the way for Arsenal's charge to the league summit, another German has been establishing himself as one of the Premier League's best central midfielders.

Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City forked out £20 million ($34.5m) for the talented but oft-injured Ilkay Gundogan - still recovering from a dislocated knee cap in May at the time - from Borussia Dortmund.

Now, those eyebrows are raised because City paid only £20m.

Since his return in September, the German international has been excellent for City with his all-round performances.

Gundogan has also been in goalscoring form lately, having scored twice against West Brom last weekend before putting a brace past Barcelona in the Champions League.

Twenty million quid - really?

 

 

(ASSISTANT) MANAGER TO WATCH: Rui Faria (Swansea v MANCHESTER UNITED, Nov 6, 11pm)

PHOTO: REUTERS

His channelling of his boss' sarcasm aimed at referee Mark Clattenburg during the post match press conference was probably more fun for Man United fans than watching their team fail to score from 37 attempts against Burnley.

With Jose Mourinho banned from the touchline after he was deemed to have verbally abused Clattenburg at Old Trafford, Rui Faria will probably be hoping he can do a little bit better in his boss' absence by guiding the Red Devils to their first league win since September at the Liberty Stadium.

 

 

UNDERDOGS TO WATCH: Swansea (v Manchester United, Nov 6, 11pm)

Swansea after their 3-1 defeat to Stoke. PHOTO: AFP

They might have changed managers, but the slide continues.

After three games in charge, Bob Bradley is still searching for his maiden Premier League win as Swansea slipped into the drop zone after his first match in charge against Arsenal.

They might fare better against a struggling Man United side, but they also run the risk of being on the receiving end of a Red Devils backlash.