Arsenal v Spurs Preview

Arsenal v Spurs, Saturday 4th January 5.15pm, FA Cup 3rd Round, Emirates Stadium, ITV1


Arsenal looking to continue momentum in first FA Cup meeting with Spurs in 13 years

Arsène Wenger has just managed Arsenal through their toughest section of the Premier League campaign so far. Chelsea (h), West Ham (a), Newcastle (a) and Cardiff (h), 4 games in the space of 9 days - including two London derbies and a trip to the division's in-form side - provided a true test of the Gunner's title credentials, yet, the north London outfit passed with flying colours. Ten points from that quartet of fixtures ensured Arsenal would end New Year's Day on top, and the mood is entirely different from the one that followed the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City a month ago.

"We live in a society that is characterised by speed and football is even speedier than the society," Wenger told at his press conference on Friday morning. "In one week you can go very high up and as well low down. That's what makes this sport so difficult to manage but it's fantastic when it goes the right way." And the boss knows only 'the right way' against Tottenham is acceptable, when Arsenal's neighbours come to the Emirates on Saturday evening.

"I just consider that it is our next game - we are Arsenal Football Club and we want to win the next game, that is vital for us," Wenger continued. "In this case I consider it a top level Premier League game, that means I have to play a team who has a chance to win a top level Premier League game."

Spurs revitalized under Sherwood

Any fan watching Tottenham's home defeat to Liverpool in mid-December, when Luis Suárez and co ripped Spurs apart at White Hart Lane, knew Andre Villas-Boas was a man on the brink. His sacking the following day was hardly surprising - even if he is the club's best-ever coach statistically in the league. And once first-team coach Tim Sherwood had lost his first game in charge, at home to West Ham, it initially looked as though Daniel Levy had made a rash decision - to some, it still does. But, seven points in their first Premier League games under the former midfielder, have seen the club move to within two points of the top four.

"We've got good players at the club and we just try to get our best players on the ball as much as we can in dangerous areas of the field," Sherwood said on Friday. "That’s what we’re trying to achieve. I think we've done it ok up to now, but it only works if you win the games. I don’t know what the message was before because I wasn't a party to it."

Match Facts

* Arsenal have won their last three home games against Tottenham. Spurs last won at Arsenal with a 2-3 victory in 2010.

* Arsenal won the last time these teams met in the FA Cup, triumphing 2-1 in the 2001 semi-final. Spurs’ last FA Cup win over their rivals also came in the semi-finals, 3-1 in 1991.

* Arsenal haven’t scored in the first half of their last 4 matches.

* Spurs have won their last 5 away games in all competitions.

* The last three games between these sides at the Emirates have produced 15 goals and 2 red cards.

* Zelalem will become the first player to make his debut having been born after Wenger joined Arsenal, should he play tomorrow.


Team News

Arsenal

Ramsey (thigh), Diaby (knee), Giroud (ill), Gibbs (calf), Chamberlain (knee) & Bendtner (ankle) are all unavailable. Sanogo (back) is back in training but is not yet ready, whilst Özil (shoulder) is set to return after training on Friday.

Spurs

Adebayor, Defoe, Townsend & Holtby are all fit after injuries, but Sandro (hamstring), Kaboul (thigh), Lamela (thigh), Naughton (ankle), Paulinho (ankle), Sigurdsson (calf) & Vertonghen (ankle) are all out.


  

Great Preview mate

Excited about the Derby as usual. Tim Sherwood is one of those managers who prefers an all out attack instead of a cautious approach. We can really expect a brilliant attacking match tomorrow.

Interesting to see what teams both the managers pic. We can afford to play the strongest of teams since our next match will be 9 days after tomorrow. I expect Arsene to play a very strong team anyways. Maybe with 1-2 youth players and perhaps a change at Fullback department.

I'd like to see Gnabry start. Maybe play Walcott upfront. Shame Bendtner got injured. Podolski won't be bad either as he will be more sharp than previously.

At home we should really win this. Specially against this spurs team.

Please don't let us go through 9 days of negativity until our next game, boys. Show Spurs that we've stepped forward while they've stepped back. COYG  

Great preview as usual Sam

another Derby and it can do wonders for our confidence
should do anything to win it

Arsene Talked about some players in danger of getting injured cause playing alot so considering that and fact that its Cup game some players deserve to get minutes and given Personnel but we should still put strong line up

i would go with this


Lets do this
COYG

Zelalem, if he plays, will send approximately 38 through-balls to Walcott, who will score half of them.

  

Great Job Sam.
Lets show the Spuds who runs London and send them back to “white fart lane”   

I like Sina's team, it's bold.

really can't wait till someone else has FA cup rights other than Fox.... Showing college basketball previews instead of this game...UGH

Anyway, this lsn't going to be an easy match. Spurs have been so much better these past few games. lm worried. l hope walcott gets the start at CF. He is more effective there than podolski. Podolski is at his best when drifting in and coming in late and behind the CFs rather than being marked as the main offensive weapon.

Anyhow...COYG!!!

Nice preview Sam..

It'll be interesting to see how this game pans out.. How we will start it. Play it, etc...

Just hope we win.

Thanks for comments, guys. Let's hope we win our 4th successive home game against Spurs.