Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspurs: An Early Preview

So the distraction of a midweek international friendly is over and we go back to business in the English Premier League. Next up for the Gunners, a clash with our perennial and most hated of adversaries, Tottenham Hotspurs.

As with previous editions of the North London derby, this one is going to be a fire-cracker. Ever since the defeat to the Scums last April at White Hart Lane, we have been looking forward to put them back in their place. Just because they beat us one miserable time and qualify for the Champions League, the Scums suddenly think that they have bragging rights to be the best in North London. Well, you just have to look at the current league table to realize how dumb the other side is.

No doubt they have improved as a team (considering the amount of money they spent, I would expect more than what they are currently doing if I were the owner) but inconsistent displays will ensure that they will again challenge for the final Champions League spot but no further. The Gunners however, are just two points of the top and a win in this fixture will see us overtake Chelsea, at least until they play later in the day.

Last year we gave them a 3-0 roasting at the Emirates off a man of the match performance from Cesc. This year, he has not performed that well but this is the kind of game that needs his leadership and brilliance which I have no doubt he will deliver. We will probably not have Wilshere for this game after he pulled out of the England squad through injury. The same might be said for Arshavin and Rosicky who return to the team carrying slight knocks from their international excursions. Koscielny returns from his two match ban but it remains to be seen if he can reclaim his place in the center of defence.

The Scums have injury problems of their own with Tom Huddlestone joining the long-term injury list. The England midfielder will miss up to two months of league action after his ankle surgery. He joins Jermaine O’Hara, Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate on the sidelines. Jermaine Defoe is back in training but he won’t be ready for this match. This match will also bring William Gallas back to the Emirates for the first time since he left on a free transfer in the summer

For the past few years, the North London derby has either gone to the home side or the match is drawn. I don’t see a drawn match this time around and I am sure we will thump the Scums just like we did over a month ago in the Carling Cup.