Arsenal vs Tottenham

Arsenal Vs Tottenham
Emirates Stadium
1:30 BST
Sky Sports 1
Referee: Mike Dean...


The North London Derby

The Mother of all Derbies is here, and it's probably more important than ever for us. Arsenal will go into the game with low morale and crushed spirit, mainly because of the FA cup defeat and the inevitable CL exit which is about to come. But that shouldnt matter, When its derby time, things are difference. Its just something else, the first and the most crucial thing is to not feel sorry for yourself, there is no place for that in a derby, We need to see the bigger picture here, Top 4 is in danger, we wont win any silverware this season. The thing now for us to do is to keep fighting and try to get that Cl spot and then work on from there. So needless to say, this match tomorrow is more important to win than ever.

Tottenham on the other hand have been flying high this season, Hard to admit it as an arsenal fan but they are playing good football and are comfortable sitting at the 3rd spot. However they are far from unbeatable, We could have won at white hart lane back in september. At the Emirates we are a different team so it will be interesting to see what kind of approach tottenham takes.

Team News

According to BBC, Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Kieran Gibbs face fitness tests on respective knee and groin injuries. Jenkinson played 45 mins for reserves in midweek so perhaps he may make the bench, although wont be surprised if he doesnt. We will have our 1st choice defence though.

Tottenham forward Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to recover from a knee injury to play against his former club. Rafael van der Vaart, Luka Modric and Benoit Assou-Ekotto should all be fit to return, but Ledley King is a doubt.


Probable Teams


------------------------------------------Szczesny----------------------------------------------

Sagna------------------Koscielny------------------------Vermaelen------------------------Gibbs

-------------------------------Song----------------Arteta--------------------------------------

----------------------------------------Rosicky-------------------------------------------------

Walcott/Oxlade------------------------------Van persie--------------------------------Gervinho--


Tottenham


-------------------------------------------Friedel-----------------------------------------------

Walker----------------------Dawson------------------Kaboul--------------------------Essou Ekotto


Lennon-----------------------Parker-------------------Modric-----------------------Bale-----------

-------------------------------------------VDV--------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------Adebayor--------------------------------------


Match Facts (bbc)

Head-to-head

• Tottenham are unbeaten in the last four league meetings
  between the sides, including a first win in 17 years on Arsenal soil
  last season.
  
• Spurs last did the double over Arsenal in 1992-93, when they won 1-0 at home and 3-1 away.
  
• Arsenal have only won one of their last seven league meetings with their north London rivals.
  
• This is the 168th meeting between the sides. Arsenal have won 69 times, Tottenham 53 and there have been 45 draws.
  
• There has been only one goalless draw in their last 32 league and cup encounters.
  
• Tottenham have fallen two goals behind in all three visits
  to the Emirates under Harry Redknapp, but have twice recovered to win or
  draw.
  

Arsenal

• Arsenal have won back-to-back league games after starting the year with a four-match winless streak.
  
• They have gained 10 points from losing positions, a feat bettered only by Wolves and Aston Villa.
  
• However, the Gunners have lost three matches from winning
  positions - only West Brom had fared worse prior to this weekend's
  fixtures.
  
• Robin van Persie has scored 22 league goals this season, including 21 in his last 20 appearances.
  
• According to Opta Sports, Theo Walcott has found a
  team-mate with just 14 of his 103 crosses from open play in the league
  this season.
  

Tottenham

• Spurs have only won one of their last five away matches in the league, taking five points from a possible 15.
  
• Harry Redknapp's side are unbeaten in London derbies in the
  league this season with three wins and a draw from four matches.
  
• They have mustered fewer headers on target than any other Premier League team this season (6).
  
• Luka Modric has attempted an unrivalled 1,691 passes or crosses in the league.
  
• Emmanuel Adebayor will play at Arsenal for the first time
  in a Tottenham shirt and on his 28th birthday. He scored eight goals in
  nine games for Arsenal in this derby. Jimmy Robertson is the only player
  to score for both Spurs and Arsenal in a north London derby.
  
• Michael Dawson could make his 250th career league start, while Kyle Walker is set for his 100th career league appearance.
  

Final Words


Nothing but a Win would do tomorrow. A win would boost the morale, and lift the spirits of both the fans and the players. And Most importantly it will be great for our top 4 hopes.



I predict a 2-1 win for the Tottenham mainly because Mike dean is the referee

Dawson and Kaboom are poor together King will play

Good job RG.

Hope Bosscielny makes it, won't bother watching if Djourour starts.


Been a while since we've seen a good NLD spanking, with our side doing the punishing. Lehhgo.

Moddaws wrote:Dawson and Kaboom are poor together King will play

Isnt he doubtful for the match ?

Spurs def. the favourites here, regardless of us being at home. Without doubt they're playing the better football and even a more complete squad this year.

I think we'll see a 2-2 draw.

As mentioned above, spurs is the better team this season so I'm hoping for a win

Considering it's such an early game on a Sunday morning, I believe Arsenal owe it to me to win this game

God I hope Koscielny is fit to play...

i just wish 2 things
one is impossible
if we had santos
when you remember their game vs chelsea
they made cashley look like his old self
because
VDV played on the right hand side coming and as false playmaker
and he didnt like to track cashley's runs
just hypothetically saying that
anyway i wish song could play pure DM role
so if they come to give us the ball frustrate us as we aint that penetrative
so we could have proper protection on counters
back to real world as none of those gonna happen just hoping for a win lol

._________.

The odds this newspaper is giving me are preferring us over them O.O

even though i've talked bad about ramsey and walcott, this is the type of game they need to show up in to prove their worth. they've come through in some big games the most important one is always the next one. provided they play of course...

Ramsey is injured isnt he?

Looking at our midfield just makes me want to cry . Try to get them on the counter , and over crowd the mid field.

Took a week off from football..
Couple of busy weeks at work made it easy..
Now its time for the London derby.. Awaken Gooners...
*
going to be a very tough match... No hopes if Djurou is starting.. We will be ripped off by pace.. And hoping that we will start Alex instead of Walcott and Gervinho at the left...

Thank God i'll be working when this game is on. Don't think the tension and anxiety of watching it live does my heart any good

Great Job RG.

A must win game, what way to get back to winning ways. Beating Spurs would big step towards 4th any maybe 3erd place.

I hate early games, I have been sick for few days not sure if I would wake up to watch it.

TOTTENHAM! TOTTENHAM! TOTTENHAM!

I can't believe I'm waking up at 7:30 for this...

Does anybody know of a good stream I could watch this on?

We neeed a big win today guys, we need the three points and to restore confidence,

I hope but have massive doubts

julias wrote:We neeed a big win today guys, we need the three points and to restore confidence,

I hope but have massive doubts

And I hope you are at the Emirates today.

CBarca wrote:TOTTENHAM! TOTTENHAM! TOTTENHAM!

I can't believe I'm waking up at 7:30 for this...

Does anybody know of a good stream I could watch this on?

I'll post streams.

Great preview RG and,

COYG!!!!!!!!!

Great entertaining preview LOL @RG.....based on that 3! i should predict a win coz we really need it..RVP.AOC n Walcott must ..u know lol...forget dean i'm just "scared in a way" from Bale n Walker ... hope 4a win any .

Massive game must win, gonna be watching on stream from now on, don't have sky sports at new place. Will post any good screens I have.

"Rumours" that King and Walker are out by the tone of Kyle's twitter could have a hint of truth

Kaboul - Dawson- Nelsen- Disco Benny

high scoring game on the cards

King never misses a north london derby. Just rest him evey other game as usual and save him for us

Let's get HYPED.