From the Back Pages, December 9: Arsenal to face Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United to host Swansea City

Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, have been drawn against neighbours Tottenham Hotspur next month in the pick of the FA Cup’s third-round ties. The draw, which was conducted by the former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham and his son Charlie, pitted the north London rivals against each other for the first time since the 2001 semi-final which Arsenal won 2-1 at Old Trafford. (The Telegraph)
From the back pagesFrom the back pages
From the back pages

EVERTON forward Gerard Deulofeu hit a rasping equaliser to earn Roberto Martinez’s side a point during a pulsating 1-1 draw against Arsenal. (The Express)

Three people have been arrested in connection with allegations of football spot-fixing after claims that a former Portsmouth player rigged a Championship game in return for cash. (The Times)

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is not overly concerned by his side’s poor away form, insisting the latest hiccup, a draw at Southampton, is actually a decent result for the title hopefuls. (Daily Mail)

It was hard to remember, as Fulham gleefully tore into Aston Villa on Sunday, that the Martin Jol era ended just one week ago. This was only Rene Meulensteen’s second game in charge – and no-one knows how his tenure will turn out – but he seems to have transformed the side already. (The Independent)

England are staring down the barrel of second Test defeat despite showing more fight with the bat than they have all series. (The Mirror)

The Ashes combatants tried to make light of a series of ill-tempered exchanges as things turned ugly near the close of a long, hot fourth day in the City of Churches but were left with a 24-hour wait to discover whether the International Cricket Council holds a similarly relaxed view. (The Guardian)