Arsenal and Spurs fans face travel chaos with train fears over rain and winds

ARSENAL and Tottenham fans may face travel chaos for the North London derby.

The rivals face off at Spurs’ stadium at 2pm this afternoon.

However, supporters making their way to the ground from south of London could have their journeys disrupted by the heavy rain and strong winds that have battered the area overnight and this morning.

Network Rail warned passengers planning to get Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink or Great Northern trains may see disruption.

That could also cause headaches for Brighton fans heading along the south coast to Bournemouth, also for a 2pm kick-off.

A Network Rail statement said: “Heavy rainfall is affecting the Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink networks, especially south of London and towards the South Coast.

“Some strong winds are also expected.

“This weather may disrupt journeys until the middle of the day today, 28 April. Please check journey planners before you travel.”

However, trains appear to be running on time as things stand.

And there is no Met Office weather warning in place, though.

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Thankfully, the forecast does not look too bad for the actual match at Tottenham, either – with grey skies expected and the possibility of some rain.

Spurs head into the North London derby certainly hoping to pour a dampener on Arsenal’s title hopes.

The Gunners know they will need to be virtually faultless in their run-in to the end of the season – and are reliant on Manchester City dropping points.

The hosts, meanwhile, have their own ambitions of pipping Aston Villa to a top-four spot.

And a first win over Arsenal since May 2022 would certainly help.

Mikel Arteta’s men head into the game full of confidence after slapping Chelsea for five in midweek.

It promises to be a thrilling clash with all the coverage available from SunSport’s live blog.

And our very own columnist and former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has had his say on where he thinks the game could be won or lost.

Forget Odegaard and Rice… this Arsenal star could be Player of the Year, says Andy Dillon

By Andy Dillon

MARTIN ODEGAARD and Declan Rice will rightly be in the shake down for the Footballer of the Year award.

But their Arsenal team-mate Gabriel also deserves recognition should the Gunners go on to win the Premier League title.

The Brazilian has been a monster at the back alongside William Saliba.

They are the heart of the meanest defence — conceding just 24 goals in the league this season.

He has also scored four, the joint-highest for a defender in the top flight along with Spurs’ Cristian Romero.

If boss Mikel Arteta ends Arsenal’s 20-year wait for the title then Gabriel will have been as important a cog in the machine as anyone at the Emirates.

Considering he was struggling for game time and appeared a lost soul last summer, it’s some turnaround.

Click here to ready Andy’s column in full.

Or to read more from Andy Dillon, click here

Redknapp said: “The smallest details can make the biggest difference and for Spurs that means how they cope without the injured Destiny Udogie, who might not get the headlines but has been outstanding.

“His pace would have been vital against Bukayo Saka, who can destroy you, and Ange Postecoglou’s got a big job on now Udogie’s missing, for sure.

“If they don’t double up on Saka he could run riot.

“While that’s crucial, so is keeping a cool head, because Spurs will be bang up for this and the tackles are going to be flying in.

“There will be a few cards flashed around, believe me.

“I really can’t see Spurs getting beaten, so assuming they manage to keep Saka in check, I’d have to put my money on a score draw.

“I can see goals, I can see bookings — plenty of them — but I just can’t see a winner.

“Which obviously means no one’s going home happy. Apart from City.”

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