Tottenham Vs Arsenal: Match Thread

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Wednesday's North London derby at White Hart Lane will have a significant impact on both the title race and the battle for fourth place in the Premier League.

Arsenal's hopes of finishing top had appeared to be hanging by a thread after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday when joy turned to despair in the space of a few controversial stoppage-time minutes.

However, they were given an unexpected lifeline on Tuesday as league leaders Manchester United were held to a goalless stalemate by Newcastle at St James' Park.

The Gunners therefore remain seven points adrift of the summit and need to make the most of their game in hand at Tottenham, in the knowledge that they still have to entertain United at Emirates Stadium on 1st May.

A vital victory would also ease the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger, who has had to contend with several agonising moments this season and earlier this week heard captain Cesc Fabregas say Arsenal were at a 'crossroads' after almost six years without a trophy.

Spurs would be determined to spoil their capital rivals' ambitions regardless of their own situation, but the midweek tussle is just as important to Harry Redknapp's men.

Having seen their remarkable debut campaign in the UEFA Champions League come to an end last week at the hands of Real Madrid, Tottenham are keen to dine at Europe's top table again next season.

They currently trail fourth-placed Manchester City by three points and have a tricky run-in that includes fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea as well as a potentially decisive clash at Eastlands.

Spurs will therefore feel it is vital to complete a league double over Arsenal for the first time since 1993, having come from behind to seal a famous 3-2 victory at the Emirates in November.

Gareth Bale, who began Spurs' fightback that day, was crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday, while Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was named Young Player of the Year, and both are set to feature on Wednesday.

Team news
Redknapp may decide to welcome back Peter Crouch, who is available again after being suspended for the Champions League match against Real Madrid at White Hart Lane following his sending-off in the first leg.

Steven Pienaar (groin) and Niko Kranjcar (foot) are also back in contention after making good progress in their injury treatment but Wilson Palacios and Alan Hutton (both knee) are still out.

Jonathan Woodgate (calf) and Ledley King (groin) have been training with Tottenham's fitness coaches but are unlikely to be involved.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are boosted by the return of Bacary Sagna following a knee injury and the Frenchman is likely to slot straight back in at right-back in place of Emmanuel Eboue.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (knee) has also been passed fit, along with midfielders Denilson (toe) and Tomas Rosicky (illness).

Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen continues his rehabilitation from an Achilles problem, but is not yet in first-team contention.

Possible starting XI:


Form guide:
Tottenham: LDDDW
Arsenal: DDDWD

Injuries:
Tottenham: Palacios, Hutton
Arsenal: Vermaelen, Fabianski

Opta stat: Tottenham have drawn nine times at home to Arsenal, making it the joint-most drawn fixture in Premier League history, seven of those draws have come in the last 10 meetings.

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Tottenham welcome back Peter Crouch, who was suspended for the defeat to Real Madrid, while Steven Pienaar hopes to return from a groin problem.

The game will come too soon for Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, who are back in light training, but both could return before the end of the season.

Arsenal's Bacary Sagna has recovered from a knee problem, and is expected to replace Emmanuel Eboue at right-back.

Denilson, Tomas Rosicky and Manuel Almunia have also been passed fit.

Tottenham
Doubtful: Kranjcar (foot), Pienaar (groin)
Injured: Hutton & Palacios (both knee), Woodgate (calf), King (groin)

Arsenal
Injured: Bartley (knee), Fabianski (shoulder), Mannone (thigh), Vermaelen (Achilles)

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Tottenham and Arsenal may have been no match for Champions League conquerors Real Madrid and Barcelona, but there is still plenty at stake in North London's answer to 'El Clasico'.

If Spurs can record their third successive league win against their rivals it will be a huge boost to their hopes of snatching a top-four spot. Anything other than an away victory will finally kill off the Gunners' slim hopes of ending their trophy drought.

It was a similar story when the sides met at White Hart Lane in mid-April last season; on that occasion Tottenham were smarting from an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Portsmouth, but they made amends by claiming a first league win against Arsenal since 1999, condemning the Gunners to another season without silverware.

Liverpool's equaliser on Sunday, which Dirk Kuyt scored in the 12th minute of added time, means Arsenal are also likely to end the current campaign empty handed.

Arsene Wenger's side have been on the wrong end of some incredible comebacks this season; they somehow frittered away a four-goal lead to draw at Newcastle, and lost 3-2 to Spurs at the Emirates despite having led 2-0 at the break. It may require an even more extraordinary turnaround if the Gunners are to overhaul Manchester United in title race.



Head-to-head
• Arsenal have lost their last two league games against Tottenham, having been unbeaten in the previous 20. However, they did win 4-1 at Spurs in a League Cup third-round tie in September.
• Seven of the last 10 league meetings at White Hart Lane have ended in draws.

Tottenham
• Rafael van der Vaart scored seven goals in his first six home appearances for Spurs. However, he has scored only once at White Hart Lane since 9 November, converting a penalty against Bolton in February.
• Tottenham have lost just one of their last 26 league matches at White Hart Lane (against Wigan in August).
• Harry Redknapp's team have lost just one of their last 10 league games (W4, D5, L1).
• Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has scored 99 Premier league goals.

Arsenal
• The Gunners are unbeaten in six away league games in 2011, winning three of those.
• They have conceded seven goals in their last three away league games.
• Arsenal are on a 15-match unbeaten run in the league, although this includes seven draws. They are the only Premier League team who are unbeaten in 2011.
• Robin van Persie has scored 18 goals in 19 games for club and country in 2011, including 16 goals in 17 matches for Arsenal.


LEADING GOALSCORERS

Tottenham

Van der Vaart: 12 goals (10 league);
Bale & Pavlyuchenko: 11 goals (7 league)
Crouch: 11 goals (4 league)

Arsenal

Van Persie: 17 goals (13 league); Nasri: 14 goals (9 league)


MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Assistant referees: John Flynn & Peter Kirkup
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
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3-2, we bea the Scum 3-2, we beat the Scum 3-2, we beat the Scum 3-2!


COYS!!!

2-1 spurs!!!!

Come on lads!!!!

Not thinking about anything else. Can't wait. COYS!

:lol:

Benny looks so laid back...almost stoned in his reaction.

Am I the only one on here that feels more than a little cautious about this game?

Everyone is going mad assuming that we'll turn them over comfortably. NLD's are never comfortable, or easy for that matter.

I'd take a draw right now if I'm honest.

It'll be proper brickin' it time later. Great chance to do the double over these slimy bastards.

COYS!!!

Draw not much use to either side Lenny. I'd take it if we were a goal down after 80 mins right enough :wink:

I dont care who starts....JUST WIN :grin:

nicdic said:

Click to expand...

I fucking love that :lol:

It's been my desktop since we beat them at the Emirates. Hopefully I can have a new one tonight ray:

Gomes

Corluka - Dawson - Gallas - BAE

Lennon - Modric - Huddlestone - Bale

vdV

Pav


Score: 3-2 (Bale, vdV and Pav)

WhiteStripe said:

:lol:

Benny looks so laid back...almost stoned in his reaction.

Click to expand...

I've always thought that about him, he's just so laid back. Big happy head on him in that picture looks like he's seen someone with a 9 bar in the crowd.

A draw wouldn't do any of us any favours, we need to win our home games and arsenal need to win full stop. This game will be fast and furious and with their dodgy defence I can see us scoring but I must admit I don't like the idea of rvp against us

ray:

COYS

nicdic said:

​

Click to expand...

New desktop background!

thfc 1989 - I've had that very picture as my wallpaper for a while now - good choice my man!

Ok, fuck being confident...I'm proper shitting it now :wink:


Wenger is talking about spilling blood tonight :razz:


Seriously though, this is epic tonight...could well be the most defining game of the season in terms of both the title race, and the race for fourth..combined.

There are a few big decisions here:

1) Kaboul or Charlie RB. I know some people will argue this one, so I thought I'd put it in. For me, Charlie because he's intelligent enough to handle Nasri and release Lennon at the right moments. In most games I'd suggest Kaboul at CB but here I think Gallas should play his old team.

2) Sandro or Hudd. Not sure here... try to dominate at home but leave it risky, or play Sandro and keep it strong and spring them on the counter. I'm leaning slightly towards Hudd (very slightly) purely because I'm worried Sandro will be chasing shadows with both Wilshere and Fabregas playing, and the ball being passed before he can get there. Saying that, I remember Wilson playing fantastically in that role against arsenal before, and Sandro is the king of interceptions. We are at home though, so Hudd and domination could be a way forward. Unsure. Hidden option could be JJ, who always seems to play well in these games and can cover both roles adequately - for me it is a straight choice between Hudd and Sandro though.

3) Does VDV play? For me, yes. We need clever players to slip it through, and VDV is one of these. I know some people will wonder why I'm even asking, but the only worry for me is that the pace of the game might be too fast for him. I would also like to accomodate Modric, Hudd and Sandro if possible and the only feasible way of doing this is dropping the van man

4) Crouch, Pav or Defoe. They all have their merits. However, for me it should be Crouch, because Arsenal can't defend against height. Second option would be Pav, and then Defoe for me. Obviously if VDV doesn't play then two of the above can (if the 3 CM's don't)

Click to expand...

:beer:

Five nil win to us.

Kick em while their down and make a statement whilst doing so.