Do-or-die derby for Spurs and Gunners

Tim Sherwood’s bout of verbal diarrhoea since seeing Tottenham capitulate to Chelsea last weekend has all but ensured he would be sent packing this summer.

With the more assured and, let’s be frank, significantly more cultured Dutch super-coach Louis van Gaal reportedly close to agreeing to a switch to White Hart Lane after the World Cup, Tottenham’s straight-talking head coach has at least decided to go out fighting by being himself.

Unceremoniously laying into his players by questioning their character straight after the game and in midweek, Sherwood will be hoping for a short-term reaction that fires them up for a memorable north-London derby success — in what is likely to be his last involvement in the fixture as first-team boss.

Arsenal, still dreaming of an unexpected Premier League title, will have to make do without Mesut Ozil, man of the match in last weekend’s exhilarating FA Cup success at home against Everton. A hamstring injury will sideline him for a month, meaning the Gunners will make the short trip across the capital without him, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott.

So, just as it did in Munich on Wednesday morning, much will rest on the broad shoulders of 20-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. His pace and positivity gave Bayern headaches and, if he is in the same kind of mood tomorrow night, Spurs will fear him.

A draw will not earn either team local bragging rights or the kind of return they need to maintain their season ambitions.

It is do or die for both clubs, even if Tim Sherwood knows he is a dead man walking regardless.