Arsene Wenger seeks proactive response in London derby clash

Tottenham and Arsenal are hoping to bounce back from painful defeats in a pivotal derby clash at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger has made a clarion call to his team to bounce back when they play bitter rivals Tottenham on Saturday.

Both sides suffered disastrous defeats on Wednesday, with Spurs losing 1-0 at West Ham and Arsenal failing to beat Swansea City at home in a game they lost 1-2.

Those results left second-placed Tottenham three points adrift of leaders Leicester City, while Arsenal are now six behind top spot after a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.

The Gaffer believes their loss to Swansea was unfortunate, but hopes to see a positive response against their  bitter rivals, who they have beaten once in seven league outings at White Hart Lane.

Wenger said: “We had all the ingredients to win the game, but football is football – it is cruel some times. We need to live with that and show that we can bounce back.

“At the moment we are lacking confidence in front of goal and we have to deal with that. We need to get back to positive results before we speak about the championship which is at stake at the moment. “It is very difficult as it is unpredictable.

Spurs defeat mean we are mathematically still in the title race. We have to bounce back quickly and realize that we have a difficult game and to prepare well.”

Swansea loss came with its casualty as goalkeeper Petr Cech suffered calf injury that means he will be out of a league game for the first time this season, with David Ospina to stand in. while

Laurent Koscielny (calf) is still missing in action.