Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Wednesday, 29 October Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Arsenal Likely Line Up (4-4-2)
Almunia
Sagna – Gallas(c) – Silvestre – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Denilson – Nasri
Van Persie – Adebayor
Subs from: Fabianski, Toure, Song, Djourou, Eboue Diaby, Ramsey, Bendtner, Vela
Tottenham Likely Line Up (4-4-1-1)
Gomes
Hutton – Corluka – Woodgate(c) – Bale
Bentley – Jenas – Huddlestone – Lennon
Modric
Bent
Subs from: Cesar Sanchez, Rocha, Gunter, Assou-Ekotto, Zokora, O’Hara, Pavlyuchenko, Giovani, Campbell, Gilberto, Stalteri, Ghaly, Taarabt, Boateng,
Injury Doubts: King, Woodgate,
(Likely line ups subject to change before the match).
Form Guide: Arsenal (4th) W6 D1 L2 Tottenham (20th): W1 D2 L6
Tactical View: Tottenham go into the match with the good news of recording their first win in the Premiership but have been given some bad news as both Woodgate and King may not be fit. Either one of the pair are crucial to Spurs chances as the non-inclusion of one could mean the selection of a make-shift centre back in Zokora, Huddlestone or Gunter but Rocha is selected in the squad.
The five man midfield of Tottenham weren’t very convincing against Bolton defensively and this is were Arsenal could take make Spurs pay. The passing and movement is likely to cause problems as well as the impact of Adebayor and Van Persie.
Key Battles: Emmanuel Adebayor v Vedran Corluka: Adebayor is high in confidence at the moment and will look to give Corluka an uncomfortable game with his strength and movement. Corluka has been impressive at centre back and he will have to be equally strong on the deck as well as the air against the Togolose striker.
Denilson v Luka Modric: Modric gave his best performance in a Tottenham shirt just behind the striker against Bolton while Denilson was ruled out with a back injury. Providing the Brazilian is recalled he will have to watch the wiry Croat as his movement and ability to get into dangerous positions is strong.
Cesc Fabregas v Jermaine Jenas: Cesc Fabreagas is the heartbeat of the Arsenal team as is Jenas for Spurs. The England man has been unconvincing so far this season while Fabregas has been the opposite. It could be a day of who can influence more and the Spaniard looks more likely.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham Hotspurs
| Team | Arsenal | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Games Played | 9 | 9 |
| Goal Attempts | ||
| Goals | 18 | 7 |
| Ave Goals per game | 2.00 | 0.78 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) | 145 | 101 |
| % Shots on Target | 42% | 40% |
| % Goals to Shots | 12% | 7% |
| Passing | ||
| Short Passes | 4,092 | 3,304 |
| Long Passes | 531 | 485 |
| Overall Pass Completion % | 85% | 82% |
| Crossing | ||
| Total Crosses | 274 | 287 |
| Cross Completion % | 21% | 21% |
| Defending | ||
| Goals Conceded | 6 | 12 |
| Ave goals conceded per game | 0.67 | 1.33 |
| Tackles | 170 | 174 |
| Tackles Won % | 76% | 72% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions | 453 | 511 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fouls | 91 | 123 |
| Yellow Cards | 17 | 15 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 2 |
The Arsenal Column 
I expect to see the likes of Toure, Diaby and Adebayor – all of whom were rested at the weekend – playing.
————-Almunia
Sagna—-Toure—–Gallas—Clichy
————-Song
—-Fabregas——–Diaby
Walcott——————Nasri
————Adebayor
Tottenham rely heavily upon attacking full-backs in their system. I believe Adebayor’s presence and general movement through the channles can help exploit the attacking instincts of Hutton and Ekotto, whilst I believe his athleticism could prove a real handful for what is a reasonably immobile defence – providing King doesn’t play. In addition, his aerial presence could help punish a Tottenham side who have been struggling with the high ball as of late. For me, Ade is a must starter.
To help further exploit the attacking mentality of the full-backs, I believe Theo Walcott will be used to get in behind their defence. Should this, as hoped, pin back the full-backs and leave Tottenham with a deep-lying defensive line, then the directness of Nasri and Diaby could punish them using the additional space provided.
Finally, Tottenham are a side that like to get the ball into the final third quickly. The presence of Alexandre Song could help prevent the high-ball bypassing our midfield, and hinder this strategy.
Good points Stu. I have to admit I was slightly rushed in my preview but I was to talk about their full backs who seem to me as a weakness.
A 4-3-3 could be a likely option for Wenger but it may be more or less the same as against Fenerbahce. Would like to see Song stay in but I’m just trying to predict what Wenger will put out.
just stumbled across site for first time , good stuff
Thanks, just keep on stumbling.
why the hell were they switched off for the last 14 mins including extra time they should have held the lead!