Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur preview: Expect big games from Arshavin and Cesc + favourite line-up
Well, there’s not much to say on the North London derby in terms of expectations, is there? If there is one game Arsenal supporters want to win more than anything else in the world, it’s this one.
And, contrary to last season, we face Spurs with the two teams pretty close to each other in the table, meaning that a win is crucial to keep them at a distance. And then, of course, we need to make up for last week’s missed opportunity so as to get back on winning terms.
Our home form has been phenomenal. Simply put, we’re yet to lose at the Emirates in all competitions and I would be gutted if that record comes to an end tomorrow, although I firmly believe we will win and quite comfortably too.
Tottenham Hotspur
Their defeat against Stoke City at home came as a surprise but having conceded three against Chelsea and Manchester United, I see no reason why we should not do the same. The Stoke and Chelsea games, though, are the only two games in which they failed to find the back of the net this season so we need to be careful at the back.
Favourite line-up
I don’t see Samir Nasri starting. Both Arsene Wenger and the player were cautious in their post-match interview after Liverpool and I agree. He just returned from injury, he’s pivotal to us, so no need to risk.
Having said that, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott are out as well but with Nicklas Bendtner returning to the side, I hope to see him start on the right instead of Eboue.
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Clichy
Song
Bendtner – Fabregas – Diaby – Arshavin
Van Persie
Like Nasri, I believe Eduardo should not start from the beginning. He was pretty anonymous in Wednesday’s first half though he came to life in the second. Also, Diaby should keep his place in midfield for a very simple reason: who else, if not him?
Finally, I expect big games from both Arshavin and Fabregas. They were both disappointing away at AZ and West Ham so I’m sure they will both be fired up and ready to make their points proven in one of the most important games of this month.
Pre-match Interviews
You heard it, you read it, he said it. According to Robbie Keane, Spurs are stronger than Arsenal, even if results in the last years have always shown the opposite.
He said:
You look at the two squads and we’re definitely on a par. ‘In the last four or five years Arsenal always managed to get ahead of us but if you look now it is even.
‘It will be judged at the end of the season but if you look at the bench we have, it is probably a bit stronger than their bench.
On Thursday, Arsene Wenger gave the news about Lukasz Fabianski’s injury, adding that Rosicky, Walcott and Wilshere are also ruled out of the game.
The Frenchman said:
We lost Lukasz Fabianski with a thigh injury. He will be out for three weeks. Of course it is big disappointment because he has just come back from injury.
Also Wilshere (ankle), Walcott (knee), Denilson (back) and Rosicky (knee) will not be back for the game at the weekend. But we did not lose any players from last night.
The Gunning Hawk Coverage
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“Finally, Diaby should keep his place in midfield for a very simple reason: who else, if not him?”
Well Ramsey looks like a 1st team player, according to the boss, and comes without Diaby’s tendency of disappearing throughout much of the game… I think Ramsey will jump ahead of Diaby before the year’s end, although Wenger could deem the Sp*rs match to be too early.
I love Ramsey, but I believe he needs to start in less-tougher games before actually make the first 11 in a North London derby.
Exactly what Davi was saying below on Merida.
‘wramsey should start instead of diaby nd eduardo instead of bentdner. apart from his(bendtners) goal on wednesday he played absolutely dreadful.
What would be so wrong with eboue starting? He was good in the last game as he has been every match hes played this year. And you don’t have to worry about him being up for the fight tomorrow.
Bendtner is similar to adebayor in some ways. When he’s willing to fight he can bully opponents and is a fantastic player, but he doesnt do it often enough in a game. Im sure he’ll learn that. His attitude is much better.
If it were any normal game, to be honest I’d suggest wenger play merida wide right/left. I think he can be trusted to perform and it’s about time wenger backed up his nice words about fran by putting him in the team – but I’d rather have someone more physical in there tomorrow.
vito
eboue gallas thomas V clichy
song
cesc diaby
bendtner rvp arshavin
I don’t think diaby should start 2morow game, instead to start ramsay bcos is now mature on d ball
So i think Almunia is in way back to goal for this clash ….
Almunia
Sagna-Gallas-Vermaelem-Clichy
Song
Eboue-Fabregas
Van Persie-Bendtner-Arshavin
Subs, Nasri in for Bendtner, Eduardo to replace Van Persie & Ramsey in for Eboue
Hope Arsenal to Crash them 4-0, with Bendtner, Nasri, Eduardo & Arshavin
I agree with you chris that AW might again astart with Diaby though i rather see Eboue alongside Fab & also he penetrate better …. I’m waiting to the i see Eastmond in the 11, the boy shocked me the other day. He is absulotely fantastic.
why do most ov our fanz think dat ramsey is abit better than diaby in our 1st eleven?for me i think opposite,diaby is still beyond with no doubt.
Shir most of our fans think Ramsey is better because he is more in the Arsenal mould than Diaby.He can pass and move better and is always looking for the ball.Diaby is a lot stronger though and is quite dynamic.If he could link with Fabregas a bit better and improve his decision making a bit he will be some player,but at this moment in time when he plays we seem to loose our fluidity.I hope he proves me wrong today with an awesome performance.
what r u talking about have u lost it