Tottenham have 3 lessons to learn as formidable Arsenal factor poses Ange Postecoglou question

Home comforts could be exactly what Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham side need after their 4-0 drubbing at Newcastle United in their last Premier League fixture. Far from their best in the north east, Spurs were duly put to the sword by their opponents as they suffered even more embarrassment at St James' Park 12 months on from their 6-1 hammering.

With their defeat and the fact they had no game last weekend playing into Aston Villa's hands in the race for Champions League football, Tottenham ideally have to return to winning ways this weekend if they are to pip their European rivals to fourth. That will be easier said than done, though, especially with a North London Derby showdown against Arsenal on the agenda.

Always a key date in the calendar regardless, there is so much more riding on this derby clash as Tottenham are targeting a Champions League finish and Arsenal have their eyes on the Premier League title. You could perhaps even look at it as the ideal game for Tottenham to go into as they look to right the wrongs of their Newcastle defeat.

«I don’t think one’s a reference point for the other,» said Postecoglou in his pre-match press conference when asked about the biggest difference he wants to see between the Newcastle game and Sunday's Arsenal clash. «The Newcastle game was really disappointing for us on a number of levels. Obviously the result was poor, but the result didn’t anywhere near reach the levels we wanted to. But we’ve learned a hell of a lot from it. The players have learned a lot out of it, but irrespective of that it doesn't matter what you’ve done the previous game.

»When you’re playing such a big game — a derby — especially at this time of year when like I said there’s great meaning to the points