Arsenal vs Tottenham Preview, Predicted line up and score line by KJ
We used to always be heavy favourites coming into a North London Derby before Redknapp managed to level the playing field with his Tottenham side, but ever since his departure, Tottenham have been slowly but surely dropping back down into their place as a top 8 club. We now go into this game as strong favourites and with all our world class talents, our fans are expecting something special.
We will need start sharply and I expect Wenger to drill that into the players. Tottenham are very shaky in the opening minutes and are easily exploited in the first half. We can really hurt them with Özil in the middle feeding Sanchez and Welbeck. They will press from the beginning of the game and will hopefully catch Spurs out.
Line up:
Szczesny
Chambers – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Gibbs
Arteta – Ramsey
Sanchez – Özil –Cazorla
Welbeck
Chambers should be fine to start but he’ll be up against a manager that managed him last season and gave him his opportunity in Saint’s first team. This also means that Pochettino will know Callum’s biggest weakness and will look to exploit it.
Gibbs has just turned 25 and it’s important that he can go a season without injury and really kick on. There’s a lack of good defenders available at the moment and that’s why he’s never really been upgraded on. But he will need to go from a “good” player to a “great” player this season if he’s really to get his name amongst the better defenders in the league.
This is also a great opportunity for Ramsey to step up. He’s been lacklustre so far and really needs to improve his all round game.
Cazorla starts over Wilshere for me simply because the Spaniard almost always causes Spurs a lot of problems. They just can’t handle him and it would be silly to not use him when he clearly gives us a tactical advantage.
I’m usually a bag of nerves going into the NLD but I feel confident about this one. 3 – 0 to Arsenal.