Arsenal vs Tottenham (16/17)

Team news:
Arsenal: Arsenal have concerns over the fitness of Nacho Monreal, Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott, all of whom did not travel for the UEFA Champions League in midweek. Arsene Wenger says that Walcott is the "closest to coming back", while Hector Bellerin "should be alright" for Sunday's match. Kieran Gibbs is also a doubt and Lucas Perez, Per Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck are still injured.

Tottenham: Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will be in the squad for the first time since Matchweek 5 but Toby Alderweireld (knee), Ben Davies (knock) and Moussa Sissoko (suspension) and Erik Lamela (hip) are all out. Mousa Dembele (ankle) is doubtful.


MANAGER
Tottenham are among the most dynamic, cohesive and entertaining sides in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino, and in the past couple of seasons they’ve arrived at the Emirates with a proactive, ambitious approach. Expect a high-tempo contest from the outset.

The defining part of Pochettino’s gameplan is the intense pressing in advanced positions. With an extremely young side - only reserve goalkeeper Michel Vorm is the wrong side of 30 - and plenty of energetic runners, this is a physically impressive side that seeks to impose its style on the opposition.

FORMATION
Pochettino has deployed both a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 system this season, although Spurs still look more comfortable in the latter, which they returned to for last weekend’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Leicester.

Moussa Dembele’s return appeared to be crucial – he’s among the best midfielders in the Premier League at turning past opposition pressure and slaloming forward into attack - but he limped off in the first half of the 1-0 defeat to Leverkusen on Wednesday. Without him, Pocchetino could use a 4-3-3 instead.

STRENGTHS
Spurs have the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded just five goals from 10 matches.

They will deploy a high defensive line at the Emirates, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris comfortable as a sweeper-keeper. The centre backs are happy covering space in behind, and are also capable of spreading to the flanks with holding midfielder Victor Wanyama dropping back to form a temporary back three.

The positioning of the full-backs is extremely aggressive. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are physically impressive rather than brilliant technicians, and their constant running allows Tottenham’s midfielders to congregate in central positions, crowding the opposition and attempting to play quick passing combinations on the edge of the box.

DANGERMAN
The greatest goal threat in recent weeks has been Son Heung-min, who has generally been used on the flank, but is highly versatile and could be pushed forward to become the centre forward if Harry Kane isn’t fit to start.

AREAS TO TARGET
In last season’s corresponding fixture, Spurs were excellent in the first half because of their energetic pressing, but tired badly in the second half and Arsenal were eventually unfortunate not to take all three points. Exploiting any fatigue in the latter stages could be crucial.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20161103/scouting-report-arsenal-v-tottenham

Biggest match of the season for us so far.

Tottenham are unbeaten and one of the best teams in the league. Their recent form is fake since they still haven't lost in the league and there is a reason for that despite not many wins. They are difficult to break defensively and quick to counter.

Harry kane will be back as well and he always scores against us.

We'll play the same team as always. Depends on who returns in time though.

Must win match.

So expecting a 2-1 Tottenham win or 1-1 draw

Don't see us winning. Draw would be a likely result, since this is a home game.

We'll win this one.

Should be. We have the better form. Just need to make sure we don't collapse defensively or concede an early goal.

This will be a tricky game as the games between us have been tight during the past two seasons. At least this time they look a bit lost in attack without Kane and their defending isn't as good since Dier came in at centre half. I can't see them pressing as much this time since they are off form and have a lot of key players missing. They will probably set up to frustrate us then try and get one on counter attack, on a setpiece or wait for a defensive mistake. They are a team which fouls a lot, they look to disrupt the opposition rhythm as much as possible. I hope we don't fall for this and just keep our cool.

It will be interesting to see what Arsene goes with in midfield tomorrow, does he start with Xhaka (card waiting to happen/can' defend) or El Nenny who is a bit too timid ?. He might even go with Ramsey since this is a hight tempo game and we need his energy, If El Nenny starts tomorrow then this will be the perfect game to see if he has what it takes to be a starter here or if he is just going to be a squad player.

With Cazorla out, Elneny is the best option as the CM no matter the circumstances.


Giroud to come on later and bang the late winner.

One of the biggest of the season and a cup final game for Spuds.  I am hearing Donkey Kane will be in the line up. Their defense is pretty good(3 away ties) and we must be sharp and score early and put more pressure on them.

We have to improve our defending, has been very poor lately, especially on the left side.

-------------Cech
bellerin….Koscielny…Mustafi…Monreal
Coquelin…Xhaka/
Theo…….Ozil………Iwobi
--------Alexis

City dropped points.


If we....

... don't lose tomo, we'll still be in the mix for a couple of weeks over the international break, before we lose yet again at OT.

City tie is a game changer...

Meh I am not nervous.

I accepted a draw as the most likely result about a week back.

NLD + A chance to go top. If our players bottle now...

... it is not a 'if' when you know what the conclusion is ffs.

For your own sake lads, embrace it. Forego these false hopes.

ffs

Must win match, boys. City dropped points and Chelsea are on fire. It's in the Emirates, FFS. We can't lose this. A draw would be a decent result, but we gotta go all the way. It's ties like these that define the season.

My only worry is Wenger and the fact we haven't been up against too many big sides from the first row of fixtures.

Spurs might be in good form, but they are even better bottlers than us. Smash 'em!

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will be in the squad for the first time since Matchweek 5 but Toby Alderweireld (knee), Ben Davies (knock) and Moussa Sissoko (suspension) and Erik Lamela (hip) are all out. Mousa Dembele (ankle) is doubtful.

If you guys don't win this it will actually be bad.

Likely Spurs lineup


What it will probably look like during the game


Winks might not play, might not. Could have Wimmer go to CB and play with Wanyama-Dier in holding mid positions. Alternatively, N'Koudou could come in and Eriksen could drop into mid. Or Eriksen goes in the hole behind the striker and Dele goes into mid. Hard to tell really. I expect Winks to play and for the front 3/4 to look like they usually do (minus Lamela of course).

Winks? Wimmer? N'Koudou?

Who are these guys ffs

Sri wrote:Winks? Wimmer? N'Koudou?

Who are these guys ffs

scrubs

I would like for Gibbs to continue at LB if that is not too much to ask for.

All I have to say is remember Man Utd away.

El Gunner wrote:

Sri wrote:Winks? Wimmer? N'Koudou?

Who are these guys ffs

scrubs

Thats what we said about Danny Rose before this happened:

urbaNRoots wrote:All I have to say is remember Man Utd away.

That's why we need to win tomorrow because we won't be winning that one as we all know

Spuds have only conceded 5 goals in 10 games.

This stat worries me immensely.