Arsenal vs Tottenham Last Minute Preview

It's the big one today, well for most fans. But the fact is, after Chelsea dropped points unexpectedly last week, we really need to capitalize on it and win today. Anything less than that should be a disappointment.

Though Spurs beat us in the last League match(after a decade), it was a much weak Arsenal side on show. But Spurs have since qualified for the Champions League for the first time and have good players in Bale and van der Vaart. Gallas makes his return to the Emirates after joining them in the summer for free and he will not receive the warmest of welcomes from the fans and some of the players.

Team news:

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamakh
Substitutes:  Szczesny, Djourou, Eboue, Walcott, Wilshere, Rosicky, van Persie

Manager: Arsene Wenger

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Formation view:

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                                                       Fabiansky

Sagna                      Koscielny                                       Squillaci                   Clichy

                                          Song                   Denilson
     Nasri                                         Fabregas                                       Arshavin

                                                      Chamakh

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Tottenham(4-4-1-1): Gomes, Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Bale, van der Vaart, Modric, Jenas, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko

Substitutes: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Bentley, Palacios, Crouch, Defoe

Manager: Harry Redknapp

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Formation view:

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                                                         Gomes

Hutton                         Gallas                                  Kaboul                   Assou-Ekotto

Lennon                         Jenas                                   Modric                          Bale
                                           
                                                        van der Vaart
                                                        Pavlyuchenko
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Tactics:

Goalkeeping/Defence: We need to be aware of van der Vaart's presence in the box as he has shown he can feed off the scraps of the strikers pretty well. One of the centre backs should keep an eye on him whenever he comes in the box. We also should deal with the crosses(filled with quality and quantity) from Gareth Bale. Bakary Sagna, who has been one of the most reliable of our defenders, has a game on his hands. Other than that, we should be okay if we perform properly from set pieces.

Midfield: Denilson is in for Wilshere and I think he has been included to mark out van der Vaart in midfield. Hope Cesc is back to his best and Song keeps up his good form.

Attack: Arshavin really needs a goal and though he has been giving the assists, a goal or two would be great today. Nasri has been exceptional and he will be needed to put in another tireless shift today and stop Bale by doubling up on him. Hope Chamakh finds the back of the net today.

Subs: Ideally, I'd bring on Walcott, van Persie and Rosicky.

Final Prediction:

A 2-1 win for Arsenal.