Arsenal vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[milkman]

Live on:

from 12pm

North London bragging rights are at stake as Arsenal meet Tottenham in a match that can be seen live on Sky Sports 1HD1.


The local rivals played out a memorable 4-4 draw at Emirates Stadium 12 months ago in one of Harry Redknapp's first games in charge of Spurs.

The return fixture ended in a goalless stalemate but there promises to be plenty of excitement in store on Saturday lunchtime in a clash between two of the most exciting attacking outfits in the Premier League.

Arsenal are the leading scorers in the division and they have been particularly formidable at home, averaging more than four goals a game.

They missed a glorious opportunity to put three more points on the board at West Ham last weekend, having to settle for a 2-2 draw after surrendering a two-goal advantage.

Arsene Wenger will have drummed into his players the importance of staying focused and keeping hold of leads, and his youngsters showed the way with an impressive 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carling Cup.

Wenger is nevertheless likely to make wholesale changes to his side and recall the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin after midweek rests.

Samir Nasri, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo are in contention to keep their places after coming through Wednesday's test unscathed following injuries.

However, Lukas Fabianski is set to be sidelined for around three weeks with a thigh complaint and Theo Walcott (knee), Denilson (back) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are all still out.

Tomas Rosicky has failed to recover from a knee complaint in time to feature, while Wenger must decide whether to bring back senior goalkeeper Manuel Almunia or keep faith with Vito Mannone.

Spurs news

Tottenham will be determined to bounce back from a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Stoke last weekend and return to top form.

Spurs are currently level on points with the Gunners, although they have played a game extra, and Redknapp is convinced his men can seal UEFA Champions League qualification this season.

Redknapp, like Wenger, is expected to tinker with his side following Tuesday's 2-0 win against Everton in the Carling Cup.

Peter Crouch is set to be fit to partner Robbie Keane up front, with Jermain Defoe completing a three-match suspension and Roman Pavlyuchenko dropping back to the bench.

Jonathan Woodgate is battling to be fit after being replaced with a head injury in the early stages of the Stoke loss, but Croatian playmaker Luka Modric is still out with a fractured leg.

David Bentley could make a rare Premier League start after an impressive performance in midweek, with Aaron Lennon doubtful due to an ankle problem.

Possible starting XIs

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Eboue, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Huddlestone, Palacios, Kranjcar, Crouch, Keane.

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: Arsenal 3 Tottenham 2

SKY BET odds: Arsenal 8/13, Draw 11/4, Tottenham 9/2

One to watch: Robin van Persie

All the money is on an Arsenal victory at 4/7 and you can get 5/1 for Spurs to take the spoils. Van Persie to score the first goal at 9/2 is popular with Arshavin 7/4 to score at anytime. Click here to bet now.

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19762,11065_3149949,00.html

Let's recap last season's result lol

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[Delboy10]

COYMFS!! let's fackin do em!

 

[BringBack_leGin]

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[Glasseye]

Come on Spurs, I truly believe that we can take them!!!

 

[Davo99]

Their midfield isn't great for the game, same as ours. Should be open, dunno why King isn't in that probable line-up?

 

[gibbs131]

I just think we need Lennon and Modric to pull this one off.

Then again, the replacements cost a fortune so maybe it will pay off?

 

[dontcallme]

With Arsenal's pace surely we will play Jenas instead of Huddlestone. If Huddlestone plays it will be in Jol's old formation with 3 centre midfielders and one winger.

I think in Gomes, Bentley and Crouch we have some potential match-winners desperate to prove themselves.

 

[PT]

I fucking hate the colour RED. That header gives me the creeps. Too much red

 

[Dr Know]

I'm listening to talk sport and quite a few fans from both teams are texting in saying they can't watch the match!! one guy said he's taking his wife shopping instead!

 

[PT]

I'm listening to talk sport and quite a few fans from both teams are texting in saying they can't watch the match!! one guy said he's taking his wife shopping instead!

Has to be a Gooner shooting blanks then.

 

[Dr Know]

Has to be a Gooner shooting blanks then.

Sorry m8 he was a yid!! another yid said he's going surfing in Cornwall!

WTF is wrong with these people! I think we stand a good chance

 

[Chris12345]

HGHGEhadghWgshaskcah;kcjascl;asjc;as


ARRGHGHHGHGHGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

FUCKING NLDs

 

[Chris12345]

The one taking his wife shopping is a member on here I think, there was a thread in chat about it...?

 

[NEVILLEB]

Arshavin vs Corluka has me worried

 

[Chris12345]

Why you feeling sympathy for an Arsenal player? :shrug:


:wink:

 

[haxman]

I hate the pre match build up - and arrogant Arsenal fans. No-one's giving us a chance - I really hope we get something out of this game. Then I'm giving back the abuse I had to listen to on other sites all week.

Goon scum. :bang:

 

[TheChosenOne]

I won't be watching it either, as much as would love to -

My dodgy ticker will not last the 90 mins - I'd end up in intensive care and miss a big party tonight karaoke/halloween/fireworks with lots of beer.

I remember what happened to the Burnley fan in the CC 2nd semi last season !

 

[smithym]

loving those two vids, is that dougal in the first one? :wink:

 

[PT]

The Spurs fan on Fan Zone in the second vid is a member on SC - Jamie is his name!! Fucking funny to watch the end of that vid along side the vid above it though!! COYS

 

[alfiespurs]

Greetings to all my fellow faithful across the Globe ! Its 7.30sh ... totally mashed from last night and remebering the day we stuffed the SCUM 5-1. Well gutted no DEFOE,LUKA or AARON. But on the plus side, we have Bentley and JENAS ... A BIG CoYS of to my mates house (another DIE HARD YID). So come on lads, last weeks result was a freak one BUT I will take a DRAW now ! UP THE SPURS !!!