Definitely the game of the week. This could also be a possible title decider. Both Spurs and Arsenal sides suffered defeats on Wednesday, with Spurs losing 1-0 at West Ham and the Gunners having a shock 1-2 home loss to Swansea City. However the title race is still on for both the clubs and it won’t be a surprise if anyone of these clubs lift the trophy at the end of the season given the ever changing nature of the premier league.
Tottenham are placed second- three points adrift of leaders Leicester City, while after a third consecutive defeat in all competitions, Arsenal are now six points off the top spot. We can expect a cracker of a derby with both the clubs looking to get back to winning ways.
Team news:
Tottenham had Dele Alli come from the bench in the second half against West Ham and would probably start him against Arsenal. Also Mousa Dembele is back for them and would ideally be starting on the bench.
Arsenal go into the derby with two huge setbacks. Peter Cech, who has been their best player this season is out injured with a groin injury and so is defender Laurent Koscielny. According to Wenger, Cech is out for 3-4 weeks. However the Frenchman is not worried about his goalkeeping options and has said, “I have complete confidence in Ospina, I don’t worry about that.”
Probable starting lineups:
Tottenham: Hugo Lloris, Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Ryan Mason, Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela, Dele Alli, Harry Kane
Arsenal: David Ospina, Nacho Monreal, Gabriel Paulista, Per Mertesacker, Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Joel Campbell, Olivier Giroud
Form guide: Last five games (Right most game being the last one played)
Tottenham: D L W W L
Arsenal: W D L L L
Prediction:
Even though Spurs lost the last game, Pochettino seemed to be very less disappointed with the loss. In his recent interview he said, “We lost to West Ham but it is not nerves, it is difficult to play every game in the intensity or level we normally have. But I am happy with the effort we showed, it was fantastic.”
Arsene Wenger has also come out and said that there is no lack of belief in the dressing room. The Frenchman has also said. “We have a competitive rivalry but a fair one. You have that in all sports. It is hard to predict what will happen tomorrow. It is one of the few derbies where the title is at stake.”
Though both the teams seem to be buzzing with positive energy in spite of their respective losses a few days ago, it seems more likely that Tottenham are the one who are going to come out with the 3 points. The advantage of playing at home plus Arsenal losing both Peter Cech and Laurent Koscielny to injury is going to play a major role in this match. Arsenal, however will try to come out all guns blazing for this one.
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