The Game

The wait is over. In less than an hour, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will kick-off what will hopefully be an entertaining afternoon of football at the Emirates Stadium.

Captain Cesc Fabregas and manager Arsene Wenger both agree that our home record is to improve which is funny, considering how strong we always have been at home especially at Highbury. But they are right, defeats against West Brom and Newcastle were unacceptable and what better way to get back on winning terms if not by getting all three points against our rivals?

As I said yesterday in the preview, I am confident, very confident going into the game. With top of the table up for grabs, I am more than sure our lads will not disappoint but of course, it will not be easy.

The game kicks off at 12:45 in the UK so good morning if you – like our Erik – has just woken up to follow your beloved Arsenal. As it is for me when there are late tennis matches in the first and last Grand Slams of the season, I am more than sure that some of you will find it fascinating to follow the ones you love in Sport at such an early time of the day.

And, until you wait for kick-off, check out what Arsene Wenger had to say on the future of Nicklas Bendtner and making a move for Rafael van der Vaart and also why Bacary Sagna is not angry at William Gallas who will make his comeback at the Emirates but in a different jersey.

As always, please do join the discussion in our chat room which will also be active after the full time whistle. You will be glad to know that from this season, to provide a better chat experience to our readers, users can be banned if they post offensive comments.

Streaming Links

For those who don’t know where to watch the game, maybe we can help, follow this link for streaming options. Links are updated before and during the match.

The Line-Ups

Arsenal

Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamakh

Subs: Szczesny, Djourou, Eboue, Walcott, Wilshere, Rosicky, van Persie

Tottenham Hotspur

Gomes, Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Bale, van der Vaart, Modric, Jenas, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko

Subs: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Bentley, Palacios, Crouch, Defoe

Half-Time Thoughts and Analysis

As it is, Arsenal are currently leaders in the English Premier League and it’s not a shock.

The Gunners produced a scintillating display of football in the first 45 minutes at the Emirates and simply put, Tottenham simply don’t know what hit them. Cesc Fabregas is running the show, our captain is finally fully fit and producing assists to his team mates.

Andrey Arshavin is also back to his best, clearly showing how the time spent on the bench against Newcastle was just what he needed to wake up and start fighting for the team. He’s not only defending on his wing but at one stage he was also in the middle of the pitch to stop Gareth Bale. Impressive.

And then the two goals – the finishing from both Nasri and Chamakh was phenomenal.

At half time, it’s Arsenal two, Tottenham Hotspur nil.