Arsenal v Spurs Match Preview

By Lev
November 30 2006

And so the big one closes in on us. Barring a cup final or a semi, the second biggest game of the season, behind the equivalent fixture at White Hart Lane, is a matter of hours away.

And so the big one closes in on us. Barring a cup final or a semi, the second biggest game of the season, behind the equivalent fixture at White Hart Lane, is a matter of hours away.

An early kick off can only help Tottenham’s cause, with Arsenal hopefully still moaning about fixture congestion and moping about, after consecutive losses away to Bolton and Fulham, which look to have forced them out of the title race. Even if they win their game in hand on Manchester United and Chelsea, they will still be 10 points behind second place, as the top two look to make this season’s Premiership a two-horse race.

Tottenham, on the other hand, after 10 wins in 14 games, will be looking to draw level on points with their fierce rivals. Even if some fans have not been overly happy with what the Lilywhites have produced as yet in the League, sitting only 5 points behind 3rd, having played a game less, is not bad going. Add to this the reality of playing in another two cup competitions already this year, (and not doing at all badly in them), and Spurs fans should maybe be satisfied with what their young and upcoming side have achieved thus far.

With Arsenal’s alarmingly dipping form and apparent rustiness in defence, Spurs’ attacking players should be optimistic in what can be achieved this weekend. With Dimitar Berbatov looking like a Premiership player at last, they seem to have a touch of class that they possibly missed last season. Jermain Defoe may have cemented a place alongside him, for this game at least, although Robbie Keane will want to play a part, after scoring the goal that gained Spurs a point at the Library last term. With Aaron Lennon ready to run ragged whoever plays at full back in Arsenal’s depleted back four, and Steed Malbranque looking to find some space between their defence and midfield, Spurs certainly have a lot going for them in the final third of the field. Hopefully they have their finishing boots on and do not waste the sorts of chances they have sometimes failed to convert this season, as there are definitely goals in this Spurs side.

They also welcome back Jermaine Jenas to the squad after an absence of two weeks, but Tom Huddlestone will not want to just hand the ex-Forest man his place back on the teamsheet, as he will be looking to start his first North London Derby alongside the ever-improving Didier Zokora. The back four will hopefully be unchanged, with the only worry being Ledley King, having suffered from a virus this week. Spurs’ fans will hope he can keep Thierry Henry in his pocket like he did for England a few years back, if the Frenchman plays, while the ever reliable Michael Dawson will show everyone why he is one of the best centre backs in the country. Pascal Chimbonda and the potentially brilliant Benoit Assou-Ekotto will need to provide attacking outlets from their full back positions, although they must not overlook their primary purpose on the field, to defend for their lives when they are, (hopefully rarely, but probably inevitably, especially if we take the lead), under pressure during periods of the game.

Arsene Wenger’s first name on the teamsheet is most likely to be teenager Cesc Fabregas, after unwisely leaving him out of the midweek team to play Fulham. The Frenchman will hope his young prodigy can create more chances for the obviously talented Robin van Persie and Henry. However, it does not look like this is a problem area for Arsenal, especially with the options of Julio Baptista, Tomas Rosicky, Alexander Hleb and Freddie Ljungberg available to them for the two wide berths, alongside the talented young Spaniard and vice-captain Gilberto. The more worrying side of their game for Wenger is their defence. Not only are both full backs, Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy, doubts for this weekend, with William Gallas definitely missing out, but Philippe Senderos has got himself banned. A back four of Justin Hoyte, Toure, Johan Djourou and Mathieu Flamini will probably not be the most comfortable of sites for the Gunners’ fans and that’s without mentioning the form of Jens Lehmann, although his inconsistency could yet produce a man of the match performance.

Having already beaten Chelsea this season, although admittedly at home, Spurs will want to banish some outside thoughts that their away league form will ruin their season. What better place to prove your doubters wrong, than at the home of your deadliest rivals? Arsenal, however, will definitely be no pushover. Having only recorded 1-1 draws and a couple of 3-0 wins at home, they will similarly be looking to prove some of their sceptical fans that their change of grounds will not perturb their chase for silverware. With so much at stake, both mentally and in terms of crucial points, a classic could be around the corner. If both teams play the way they can and go for the win, it could be a great spectacle. I hope my optimism doesn’t turn out to be blind faith, but I personally don’t think we’ll lose and that we may even snatch a win.