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Arsenal and Tottenham begin on their road to Wembley at White Hart Lane tomorrow, in the pick of the matches of the Capital One Cup third round. The North London derby brings with it a unique set of emotions for both the Gunners and the ‘Spurs, and neither would want to concede defeat to their fierce rivals, But Mauricio Pochettino and Arsene Wenger will be targeting victory for entirely different reasons.
The past couple of weeks has turned the dynamics going into this game topsy turvy, and the white side of North London, head into this fixture riding on a crest of three straight victories, courtesy of three goals in two games from new-boy Heung-Min-Son. Arsenal on the other hand couldn’t have asked for worse, and will be heading to White Hart Lane on the back of successive defeats, first to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions league and then to Chelsea, two games in which they’ve managed to get three of their players sent off.
A win will certainly be a breath of fresh air to Arsene Wenger’s side while Pochetino will be seeking to keep the momentum going.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Mauricio Pochettino is likely to mix his side up with a couple of fringe players and youngsters featuring alongside his regulars. He would also be looking to give a run out to those in need of match fitness, and consequently one of the big names in the line-up could be Christian Eriksen, who is working his way back after a recent injury. Danny Rose is likely to play after being rested at the weekend. Spurs still can’t call on the services of the injured midfield trio of Nabil Bentaleb, Moussa Dembele and Ryan Mason, and youngster Delle Alli, who impressed against Palace in the last game, could feature as he did then alongside Eric Dier. New signing Clinton N'Jie who had started on the bench in the past two games, might finally get his first start.
Arsenal
Spurs’ midfield problems are dwarfed in front of Arsenal’s with Francis Coquelin now joining long-term absentees Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck. With Santi Cazorla and Gabriel both also missing due to suspension, the match-up will be a stern test of the depth of the Arsenal Squad. Wenger opined in the Press conference that he’s likely to start Giroud due to a ‘’lack of options up front, and to improve and recover his confidence after his red card in the Champions League last week”. Youngsters Joel Campbell and Alex Iwobi could also get the nod to feature on the starting line-up, but if Arsene Wenger has learnt a lesson from Zagreb, it would be to not tinker too much with the squad, and a loss against their fierce rivals is the last thing he wants right now. It would also not be surprising to see Krystian Bielik or Jeff Reine Adelaide on the bench.
Kick-Off and Live Telecast
Channel: Ten Action
Livestream: starsports.com
Date: 24th September, Thursday
Kick-off: 12:45 am (IST)
Venue: White Hart Lane, London
Form
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham come into the game looking to record a fourth successive win. After a shaky start their premier league season, losing to Manchester United, before being held to 3 draws in succession by Stoke City, Leicester City and then Everton for a draws, ‘spurs have recovered well to record three wins on the trot against Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Quarabag in the Europa League. Their new signings have hit the ground running as well, with Heung-Min Son scoring 3 goals in his last two games, and Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld doing well at the back.
Last five games (All competitions): D-D-W-W-W (Most recent: Tottenham 1 - 0 Crystal Palace)
Arsenal
After the defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions league, and to Chelsea over the weekend, Arsenal come into the match looking to avoid three successive defeats. The Gunners were left fuming at the referee and at Diego Costa in their last match in the aftermath of the incident that got Gabriel Paulista sent off. To succeed against their rivals, they’ll have to put in a much more disciplined and clinical display. Olivier Giroud has been wasteful in front of goal while the midfield isn't really performing at even a fraction of their boundless talent.
Last five games (All competitions): W-D-W-W-L-L (Most recent: Arsenal 0 - 2 Chelsea)
Key Stats
- The last time Tottenham kept a clean sheet in the North London Derby was in 2009.
- Tottenham were last years’ finalists in the Capital One cup, having finished runners-up to Chelsea
- This is the first meeting between the two sides in this season, and the second in the calendar year. The last time the two teams met, in February, Tottenham pulled off a 2-1 victory, courtesy of two goals from Harry Kane.
- Arsenal and Tottenham have both scored just 5 goals in their 6 premier league games. Only Liverpool(4), West Bromwich Albion(4) and Newcastle(3) have scored lesser.
- While ‘Spurs have let in just two goals in their last five matches, Arsenal have scored just six times in seven competitive games this season.
- Arsenal are in 5th place in the league table at the moment while Tottenham are on 9th, but only a point separates the two sides.
- Only one of the last nine meetings between these sides at White Hart Lane has resulted in an away win after 90 minutes, with the hosts coming out on top in five of the remaining eight.
- This is the first meeting in almost exactly five years in the League Cup. In 2010, it was 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Arsenal going on to claim a 4-1 triumph in extra time.
Possible Line-ups
Tottenham Hotspur
Pochettino will be keen to extend his unbeaten run in all competitions to 7 matches, and what better team to do it against than bitter rivals Arsenal. Their midfield troubles, though, will mean that a couple of new faces might feature, alongside ones that we haven't seen too much of lately. Arsenal’s midfield woes mean that might be tempted to even give a run about for a few players recovering from injury.
Line-up (4-2-3-1): Vorm, Trippier, Fazio, Wimmer, Rose, Delle Alli, Dier, Townsend, Eriksen, Chadli, Kane
Arsenal
Wenger is known to have a penchant for tinkering with his team and blooding youngsters in the League Cup. However in the wake of two defeats on the spin, particularly the one to Dinamo Zagreb which was partly due to fielding a weaker team, Wenger will be all too aware of the repercussions of fielding a weak side and losing to their bitterest rivals. Consequently, he is likely to field more first-teamers for this game than his usual predilection.
Line-up (4-2-3-1): Ospina, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Gibbs, Ramsey, Arteta, Campbell, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud
Key Battles
Harry Kane vs Per Mertesacker
Harry Kane has not followed up his blistering form last year, scoring no goals so far this season. He will be keen to prove wrong those that consider him to be a one-season-wonder. Mertesacker, on the other hand, is just back from injury and might not be 100% fit, and his lack of pace has been well documented. Harry Kane was decisive, the last time the two teams met, slotting in two goals to give spurs a narrow victory. The lack of sharpness of the 32-year-old Arsenal captain might just be the opportunity the England international needs to spark his season to life.
Delle Alli vs Aaron Ramsey
The 19-year old Alli was impressive in the game against Crystal Palace featuring alongside Eric Dier and has transitioned well to the top tier after arriving from MK Dons. The North London derby has a reputation for being a fiercely contested midfield battle, and it will be interesting to see how the youngster responds to facing up against one of the best central midfielders in Europe, in Aaron Ramsey, who after being rested in the Champions League game, could be back to face their local rivals in his favoured central midfield role.
Olivier Giroud vs Kevin Wimmer
Olivier Giroud has come under fire for his performances this term, but Arsene Wenger keeps defending the Frenchman, saying both him and Walcott are top-level strikers. Wenger has opted to start Walcott in the last three premier league games, but he is likely to field Giroud against spurs, as the Frenchman has a point to prove after being sent off against Dinamo Zagreb. He’ll be looking to repay Wenger’s trust in him, and as Alderweireld and Vertonghen will mostly be rested, it will likely be Australian defender Kevin Wimmer who’ll be tasked with dealing with Giroud’s physical presence and aerial threat.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Arsenal
This fixture is one that has had a long history with the two clubs battling it out for the dominance of London long before Abramovic’s Chelsea came and usurped that throne. The game is one that has often resulted in many goals, but in recent editions, the teams have been more wary of each other. More of the same is likely to be expected and a testy midfield battle may ensue. Both teams go into the match on the back of thoroughly contrasting streaks with Spurs unbeaten in 6 matches whereas the gunners have lost their last two. The fact that it is a match in the League cup will not faze either team in the least bit, and both are likely to be just as hungry for a win.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham strikers have been guilty of wastefulness in the 30-yard area, and the game might in the come to be decided on which team is more clinical in the final third. Arsenal are looking for a turnaround and are likely to name a stronger squad, and that might prove to be the difference on the pitch.
Betting odds (NetBet)
Tottenham – 19/10
Arsenal – 13/10
Draw – 5/2
