Arsenal can snatch top spot in the Premier League, at least for a few hours, if they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby where Gallas’s return to his old club adds extra spice.
Arsene Wenger’s side were the main beneficiaries of last weekend’s wobbles by leaders Chelsea and fellow challengers Manchester United and Manchester City in a season that is becoming more unpredictable by the week.
Sitting two points behind Chelsea on 26, Arsenal could leapfrog them if they beat Spurs before Carlo Ancelotti’s team’s later kick-off at Birmingham City but may end up just keeping the seat warm for the champions.
Arsenal have already thumped their arch rivals 4-1 this season in the third round of the League Cup and have lost just once in the league to them in 11 years – April’s 2-1 defeat.
Ex-Arsenal skipper Gallas, who crossed the North London divide in August, has yet to win over some Spurs fans but gets the perfect opportunity to do just that at the Emirates, where he spent four years from 2006.
Adding to defender Gallas’s valuable insider knowledge, Spurs also have a dangerous attacking weapon ready to use earlier than expected in Jermain Defoe.
The England forward resumed training this week after suffering an ankle injury on international duty in early September that was expected to sideline him for three months.
If he fails to make it Peter Crouch is on hand and will hope to continue his scoring run having netted in Spurs’ 4-2 win over Blackburn Rovers last week and England’s 2-1 defeat to France on Wednesday.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
