ARSENAL v SPURS: Match Thread

[Geez]

Banner by chrissivad ​

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Arsenal 1 - 0 Spurs​

Giroud ​

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Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Rose; Capoue (Sandro), Paulinho; Townsend (Lamela), Dembele (Defoe), Chadli; Soldado.
Subs: Friedel, Naughton, Holtby, Sigurdsson, .

Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Ramsey, Wilshere, Rosicky; Cazorla, Giroud, Walcott.
Subs: Sagna, Monreal, Flamini, Fabianski, Sanogo, Gnabry, Zelalem.

Ref: Michael Oliver

Kick Off time World Clock​

BBC Live Text
16:06 CLOSE! - Arsenal 0-0 Tottenham
...so, so close from Cazorla and so, so clever from the Spaniard. As the wall jumped, he went low, skimming the ball along the turf but just past the post of the beaten Lloris.
16:22 GOAL- Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham - Olivier Giroud
Slightly against the run of play, Arsenal take the lead in a fashion so simple it will provide Andre Villas-Boas with some concerns. From the moment Per Mertesacker pinched the ball, Arsenal were able to waltz towards the Spurs defence, with Theo Walcott finding oceans of space on the right. His square ball was met by Olivier Giroud, who poked past Hugo Lloris for his fourth of the season.
16:32 Another huge moment in this game, this time involving referee Michael Oliver. Theo Walcott is through, with Lloris off his line, outside the penalty box when he makes the challenge. Down goes Walcott, Arsenal are convinced the Spurs keeper should be in hot water, but Oliver says the ball was won fairly. He's right, too. It was brilliant from Lloris, almost playing as a sweeper. Tomas Rosicky goes in the book for his protests.
16:42 Sub: Change for Arsenal - Flamini for Wilshere.
HALF-TIME - Arsenal 1-0 Tottenham
A very entertaining, watchable half draws to a close, over seemingly as soon as it began. Arsenal were under the cosh early on, but warmed to their task after the flowing move that ended in Olivier Giroud's opening goal. They could have had more, too, most notably when the the lunging Hugo Lloris pulled off a challenge that denied Theo Walcott.
Yellow Card: Flamini in the book for foul on Rose.
17:23 Oooohhhh...another Arsenal break sees the ball chipped over the top. Hugo Lloris, the goalkeeper keen to play as a a sweeper, is off his line to gather. Did he catch that outside the box? It was close, but the assistant referee backs the Frenchman. Jermain Defoe is warming up.
17:24 SUBSTITUTION - Attacking move by Spurs, on comes Jermain Defoe for Moussa Dembele. Defoe joins Roberto Soldado up top, the visitors going to a 4-4-2.
17:29 Etienne Capoue looks to be in trouble here, screaming in agony after Santi Cazorla's weight fell on his ankle. The stretcher is on, the left ankle placed in a brace. Ligament damage? Spurs will make a double change, Sandro is one replacement, with £25m-man Erik Lamela coming on for Andros Townsend. Capoue takes oxygen as he leaves the field, always a distressing sight.
Nine Arsenal players back in their own box, cross after cross headed away. Andre Villas-Boas, dancing in his technical area, urges his players on like a mad conductor. Home fans on the edge of edge of seats as Spurs win a corner...
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[Geez]

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

What a game to end the weekend. The north London derby is always explosive and, to add to it this year, it's been like chalk and cheese between these two rivals when it comes to the transfer market this summer.

Tottenham have been exceptional, and chairman Daniel Levy has got this transfer window business sorted. He knows what he's selling, and he knows exactly what he's buying. The quality of players coming in has been very good and he has not paid over the odds either.

Technical director Franco Baldini may well be one of his best appointments, he is across Europe, speaks a lot of languages and knows what he's doing. He has been instrumental in some of their signings.

Arsenal, on the other hand, don't appear to have any form of transfer policy. What have they been doing for the past three months? You have to improve and sign better players every year and they haven't done that, and as a result the squad is in a mess. Tottenham's best XI is certainly stronger.

We know that Wojciech Szczesny is going to be a top goalkeeper but Arsenal need another one in desperately. Like Joe Hart, he is under no pressure and he is in a bubble at the moment.

At the other end they need a striker. Olivier Giroud is a good player but is he good enough? Oddly, they have bid for Yohan Cabaye at Newcastle when I don't think they need a midfielder like him at all. It doesn't seem like they have a joined-up way of going after players, they are linked with different names every week. It's a mess.

Having said all that, Arsenal weren't that bad in their defeat against Aston Villa and they have had three good results since.

They are up against the wall and I feel that they may pull this one off. Aaron Ramsey is starting to show he is a good player again and could be the difference, especially as Spurs' new signings are still settling in.

Prediction: 2-1

Arsenal host Tottenham in an eagerly-awaited north London derby clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).

The match - being shown live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 3.30pm - will give Spurs' fans the chance to gauge how far their team have progressed after a summer of big money arrivals.

Spurs have slipped to 5-2 defeats on their last two visits to the Emirates as they were pipped to Champions League football by their rivals.

But victory on Sunday would fire their intent for the season ahead as they seemingly prepare for life without Gareth Bale.

Andre Villas-Boas' side go into the game on the back of four successive victories this term - two in the Premier League and two in the Europa League, all without conceding a goal.

For the Gunners, there have been no big-money signings - with just old-boy Mathieu Flamini and youngster Yaya Sanogo coming in so far.

This - as well as a 3-1 opening-day loss to Aston Villa - led to talk of a 'crisis' at the Emirates.

However, three successive victories - including a 2-0 midweek win over Fenerbache to qualify for the Champions League group stages for a 16th successive year - have boosted Arsene Wenger's troops ahead of Sunday's derby.

Paul Merson's prediction
This is going to be an unbelievably entertaining football match. You look at some of the big games between big teams over the years and there's not always entertainment, but over the last few years the North London derby has always been open and entertaining. This fixture has finished 5-2 at the Emirates in the last two seasons and I really think we'll get lots of goals again. If you're a Londoner, then this is the biggest derby game of the year and this really is a proper Super Sunday.

I watched Arsenal against Fenerbahce and they were very open, so Tottenham have a chance - and if it was at White Hart Lane I'd probably fancy them strongly to win - but I think Arsenal have little bit more at home. I know a few of the Spurs players haven't played there in the last two seasons, but the ones who did will be psychologically scarred from the manner of those 5-2 defeats. If Tottenham get that in their heads they may sit back and that will play into Arsenal's hands. If Arsenal win this then they can look at it as a good start to the season, but I dread to think how the fans will react if they get beat here. I'm going for a massive scoring 3-2 game.

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-2

Arsenal

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will return from a one-match domestic suspension to face north London rivals Tottenham.
Midfielder Mathieu Flamini is likely to go straight into the squad having rejoined his old club this week on a free transfer from AC Milan, as Aaron Ramsey (groin) has recovered, but forward Lukas Podolski is set for up to three months out with a torn hamstring.

Defender Thomas Vermaelen (back) and midfielder Mikel Arteta (thigh) continue their rehabilitation, along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee).

Tottenham

With Sunday's North London derby with Arsenal in mind, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas rested several of his top stars in the midweek Europa League 3-0 win over Dinamo Tbilisi, including Hugo Lloris, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, who all dropped to the bench.

Aaron Lennon was not risked as he recovers from a foot injury, while Emmanuel Adebayor and Benoit Assou-Ekotto did feature as they continue to be linked with moves away from the club.

Jermain Defoe pressed his claims for a start against the Gunners after scoring a quick-fire brace, as did Lewis Holtby with the third goal.

Tottenham have completed their capture of Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches but his signing may have come too late for him to feature in this game.
Opta Facts

• Arsenal have failed to score in just one of their last 29 Barclays Premier League meetings with Tottenham.
• There has been a Tottenham player sent off on each of their last two Premier League visits to The Emirates.
• Tottenham have failed to hold on to a lead on each of their last two trips across North London, losing 5-2 on both occasions.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Okay, we are not favourites to win. No pressure on then. I will take that.

 

[aliyid]

I know it's in thier back yard but with the central midfield we've brought in and them missing key players like Podolski, Vermaelen, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diaby I think we've got an amazing chance of sending out a strong message that we mean business.

I want to hear a chorus of boos ringing around that stadium by the end of the match.

 

[sweyid]

Even if we only play one new player today and lose, you can bet your bollocks that the Arse fans will be on about how you can't buy wins. The fuckers

 

[KILLA_SIN]

It would be nice to make a statement of intent.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Wonder why sky have listed Chiriches but not Lamela and Eriksen?

 

[Legacy]

I'd be utterly thrilled if we managed a 1-0 win against them. I can't remember the last time we beat Arsenal without conceding a goal. And I basically just want our clean sheet record to never end.

Long term injuries to Walcott, Cazorla and Giroud would be very nice too.

 

[vegassd]

Fucking. Excited.

I would actually take a drab 0-0 in this match but that's pretty unlikely.

 

[Locotoro]

I really want us to smash them to pieces. I'm hoping for a 3-0 win but the manner of the win is more important than the score

 

[sweyid]

I'd be utterly thrilled if we managed a 1-0 win against them. I can't remember the last time we beat Arsenal without conceding a goal. And I basically just want our clean sheet record to never end.

Long term injuries to Walcott, Cazorla and Giroud would be very nice too.

Soldado from a dodgy pen? Would send Arsemania over the edge.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

There wont be much in it today, they will play out of their skins but have a feeling they will have a quiet respect of us. Their advantage is their familiarity with each other but they won't have an easy time against our midfield. Maybe a goal in it probably a draw.

 

[Gbspurs]

At work today (as usual) so recording it and watching it later whilst avoiding the score. Sorry I can't be here with you all to endure the highs and possible lows the game night bring. Feel we are in a great position to win today but the NLD rarely follows forms and with the last few 5-2's I would take a draw today. Regardless of result it will br a more exciting game than the last few games that's for sure!

 

[Wirral Spurs]

Arsenal will want it more than us today, as usual we have been bigged up beyond where we actually are. Let's just see what we are like at Christmas. This is a new Tottenham, it will be a success but not 2 days after our key signings.

 

[IanC]

I want that gobshite midget Wilshere to get battered up against whoever is playing in midfield. Dont envy him being in amongst Paulinho, Capoe or Sandro.

 

[Nerine]

I can't decide whether I'm confident today or not.

I think I am.

Hopefully the team will raise their game a little because of the occasion.

Any news on whether Lamela and Eriksen are eligible to play?
Seems they were training the same day as Vlad?

 

[scat1620]

Hoping for:

Lloris

Walker -- Kaboul -- Vertonghen -- Rose

Capoue -- Paulinho

Lamela -- Eriksen -- Townsend

Soldado

 

[faymantaray]

Will our beasts perform the haka?

 

[thinktank]

Hoping for:

Lloris

Walker -- Kaboul -- Vertonghen -- Rose

Paulinho -- Capoue

Lamela -- Eriksen -- Chadli

Soldado

Minor fixage.

That'd do me.

 

[idontgetit]

Got a hunch that Holtby might get given a chance in the AM spot and play an absolute fucking blinder