Premier League Match Preview: Arsenal – Tottenham;Spurs Keen To Stamp Authority In North London Derby
Emirates Stadium — London
November 17, 2012 7:45 AM EST
Spurs will make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the mouth-watering North London derby on Saturday lunchtime, and to make the game even more exciting,
Neither team will be particularly happy with their current form. Arsenal are still at sixes and sevens since the sale of iconic striker Robin Van Persie.
New signings Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud seem to be getting in the swing of things recently, but it’s Arsenal’s usually unforgiving defence that has caused them most problems this term; looking nothing like their usual solid selves and shipping far too many goals.
Sitting in 8th position in the Premier League and already 11 points off the pace of current leaders Manchester United, Arsenal will be seeking a convincing victory over their biggest rivals this Saturday in the hope that it can bump start their season and get them in the hunt for a guaranteed Champions League slot. But do they have what it takes to inflict defeat on Andre Villas Boas’ Spurs?
Life hasn’t been easy for AVB since taking the reins from Harry Redknapp, and players seem to be struggling to conform to the way the former Chelsea boss wants them to play.
Tottenham have, however, been playing their best football away from home. Already beating table toppers Manchester United at Old Trafford this season, the Lillywhites should have the confidence to believe in their chances; Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon will be licking their lips at the opportunity to stretch their legs against the Gunners makeshift back four.
Sky Bet make Tottenham an 11/4 chance to take the victory and bragging rights, and those odds certainly look good value. Arsene Wenger’s team have managed just 2 wins in their last 5 home league games ( QPR and Southampton) and look vulnerable against a Spurs team that contains a huge amount of pace.
Andre Villas Boas would like nothing better than to give his fans something to shout about, as well as assuring both supporters and the board of directors alike that he is most definitely the man to take Tottenham Hotspur on to bigger and better things.
Arsenal Probable lineups : Szczesny;Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen;Arteta, Wilshere, Cazorla ;Walcott, Giroud, Podolski
Tottenham probable lineups: Friedel;Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen;Lennon, Huddlestone, Sandro, Bale;Dempsey ;Adebayor