http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 will host Tottenham Hotspur in this weekend’s North London derby at the Emirates. Both clubs have been engaged in some of the most highly entertaining games the league has ever seen, and this weekend’s fixture looks like no exception.
Over the years, we’ve seen a number of memorable North London derbies between the two clubs, with goals scored at both ends and plenty of drama. The weekend’s game will see new faces and players who will get their first taste of the fierce rivalry between
both clubs.
Arsenal have enjoyed an 18-year old domination over Tottenham, and Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas is looking to end this impressive record. Spurs last finished above Arsenal back in 1995, and have since not been able to assert dominance over their rivals.
Ever since Arsene Wenger took charge of the club, Arsenal have indeed been the kings of North London.
Arsenal
Expected starting line-up:
Wojciech Szczesny, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukas-Podolski-c22896, Olivier Giroud.
Arsenal will play their strongest starting 11, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vito-Mannone-c36276 will move to the bench to allow the Pole to play in his first competitive game in over 2 months.
Arsenal are still without first choice left-back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Santos-c32532, who has been poor in his last few games for the club.
There had been rumours about Carl Jenkinson starting the game to allow Bacary Sagna some rest, but I expect the Frenchman to start as Wenger will probably want to field his strongest and most experienced team.
Tomas Rosicky and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Abou-Diaby-c3453 are still far from a return to the first team. Rosicky however has resumed training, much to the pleasure of the manager.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Oxlade-Chamberlain will be on the bench as reinforcement for a very strong midfield trio of Wilshere, Cazorla and Arteta. The front three will be Arsenal’s most strongest asset on the day, with the pace of Walcott combined with the physical strength
and aerial ability of Podolski and Giroud respectively.
Tottenham Hotspur
Expected starting line-up:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emmanuel-Adebayor-c12526, Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Tottenham are still without Mousse Dembele, who is a major doubt for the game and will be a big miss for Tottenham. Coping with Arsenal’s midfield trio of Wilshere, Cazorla and Arteta will be the toughest test for Villas-Boas’ men, and he will need Huddlestone
and Sandro to be up to the task.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Lennon-c3062 picked up hamstring strains in the game against Manchester City, and are also set to miss the game. Gallas will slot in at right-back, while Dawson will get a start in the centre alongside Steven Caulker.
Up front, Adebayor is expected to fill in for Defoe, marking his second Premier League start of the season. Gareth Bale will be in his favoured left-wing position, while Sigurdsson will fill in on the right for Lennon if the winger is unable to be fit for
the game.
Final Score: 3-1
I expect Arsenal to edge out in the game with three goals to the good, while Tottenham may get a consolation. The Arsenal first 11 looks stronger on paper, and they have a good record against Tottenham. I expect Walcott, Giroud, Podolski and Bale to feature
on the score sheet.
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