North London Derby: Tottenham Hotspur -vs- Arsenal: Sky Sports 1 16:00

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

vs

Sky Sports wrote:

North London bragging rights will be at stake on Sunday afternoon as Tottenham welcome neighbours Arsenal to White Hart Lane for what promises to be a pulsating encounter.
The two sides have played out some cracking games over the years and particularly in recent times, with April's breathtaking 3-3 draw still fresh in the memory.
It was a difficult summer for both clubs as transfer speculation regarding key players dominated the headlines, and the uncertainty spread onto the pitch at the start of the 2011-12 campaign.
However, while Arsenal remain under severe pressure, there have been far more encouraging signs coming out of Spurs over the past few weeks and there is a growing feeling this could be the season they finally overhaul the Gunners.
Tottenham's form began to turn around after the window slammed shut, with Luka Modric still at the club despite wanting to leave and Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker arriving to strengthen key areas in Harry Redknapp's starting XI.
Having suffered heavy defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City in their opening two games, Spurs have bounced back with three wins in a row to stay in touch with the leading pack and raise hopes about a return to the top four.


They missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification last term and had to settle for a spot in the Europa League, when Redknapp has opted to make wholesale changes to his team and rest senior players.
He will therefore revert to his first-choice line-up for the visit of Arsenal after having to come from behind to beat Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night, meaning Adebayor is in line to face his former club.
William Gallas will not have the chance to take on the Gunners after suffering a fresh calf injury this week, while Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are also out.
Steven Pienaar is available to play his first game of the season after overcoming a groin problem, while Aaron Lennon will require a fitness test after coming off against Shamrock with a stiff groin.
Arsenal news

Arsenal are two points and seven places behind their capital rivals, having also played a game more, going into Sunday's eagerly-anticipated fixture.
Arsene Wenger has had one of his less stressful weeks so far this season, though, having followed up a Premier League victory over Bolton with a win against Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League and received support from club owner Stan Kroenke.
His position could soon come under the microscope again if the Gunners lose to Tottenham, and with the derby in mind Wenger decided to rest several players himself for the midweek European fixture.
The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andre Santos pushed their claims for inclusion this weekend by scoring against the Greeks and performing well, but it is likely there will be wholesale changes.
Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey are among those set to earn recalls after starting on the bench in the Champions League, while Wenger will be hoping to welcome back a number of other influential players.
Theo Walcott, Laurent Koscielny and Gervinho were all ruled out of the 2-1 win over Olympiakos and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Yossi Benayoun and Sebastien Squillaci are back in training but unlikely to be involved, while Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby remain sidelined.
Jack Wilshere is another long-term absentee after it emerged this week he may be out of action for up to five months following ankle surgery.
Possible starting XIs

Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Van der Vaart, Modric, Parker, Bale, Adebayor, Defoe.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie.

Right lads, the highlight of the footballing weekend. 4th and 5th place teams from last year in an early six pointer. First time I can remember where we are the firm favourites for a league clash with Arsenal. Doesn't really sit well with me tbh. Will suit Arsenal a lot more being the underdogs.

Whatever happens, this is a crucial game in the race for fourth. If Spurs win I really can't see Arsenal even challenging for fourth, but if Arsenal win I can see it being the turning point of their season.

The Spurs starting formation will either be the one above, or, preferrably, Lennon coming in for Defoe and us playing a 4-4-1-1. Not sure if Lennon has enough game time to warrant a place in such a big match, but it should be either formation. So much will rest on Ledley King though, we are a totally different team with him on the pitch, if he plays we will win, no doubt.

I'm going to go for a 3-0 win to Spurs, Adebayor twice and King with the other, provided King plays. If not, 2-2 in a worryingly open game.

Some interesting stats in the run up;

8 - Emmanuel Adebayor scored eight goals in nine north London derbies in all competitions for Arsenal against Spurs. Swapped.

600 - Tottenham Hotspur are the only team to manage more than 600 passes in more than one PL game this season (twice). Control.

Arsenal are on the longest run of any PL team without an away win – 7 matches. That run started at WHL with a 3-3 draw.

In the last ten meetings between Arsenal and Spurs there have been 41 goals. More than another rivalry.

53% - In the last five seasons, Tottenham's win % with Ledley King starting is far superior than without him (34%). Regal.

_blank_

Spurs to walk it, three or four one

SuprSi

I wish I could share both of your views, but I don't think it's going to be easy for Spurs. As THFC mentioned, King is key. Modric, Parker, Bale - that's a good midfield, and either Krancjar, VDV, or Lennon can take the righ wing slot, so pretty good options there too. It has to be Defoe and Adebayor up front.

I can see it being tight, only a goal in it, or perhaps a draw.

amacachi

It doesn't sit well with you but you're still going for 3-0. Nice.


Draw would would be a great result for Arsenal, though if they play for it they won't get it.

cson

I'd be cautiously optimistic about our chances. I've a feeling we'll take a lead to HT and be something like 2-0 up with 20mins left only to do an Arsenal on it and end up with the match finishing 2-2.

Arsenal HT - Draw FT @ 12/1

Think we're overpriced @ 9/4 too.

All really depends on how much protection Frimpong and Song give the back four.

BERBA

We never get a better chance of a home win than tomorrow against our dear neighbours. reckon 3-1

Fuzzy_Dunlop

cson wrote: »

All really depends on how much protection Frimpong and Song give the back four.

Chances are Song will be part of the back 4.

keano_afc

With Song and Mert as our centre halves I can see us being really exposed. Also the face that we cant defend set pieces wont help.

Would take a draw now, but can see us losing 3-1.

Balfie

V

A game that I'm definatly looking forward to seeing, with Spurs going into the game as favourites, at 6/5 and Arsenal priced at 12/5 (latest on paddypower) it looks to be a great North London Derby.

Arsenal have had a rocky start to the season, while Spurs are on the back of 3 wins in a row.

I'm going for a 2-1 win Spurs. Adebayor with the winner, after he said he won't celebrate if he scores against his former club.

Turtyturd

Doesn't seem like that long since these two last played.

Balfie

I looked up a few stats, just to see what I could come up with, and this is what I found.

• Tottenham have kept only one clean sheet in 31 matches in all competitions against their north London rivals

• Arsenal have won only two of their last 16 games away from the Emirates Stadium in all competitions

• Emmanuel Adebayor scored eight goals in nine games for Arsenal against Spurs

• Robin van Persie has scored four times in his last four starts against the hosts

• These sides have drawn 17 times in the Premier League, the most ties of any fixture in the competition's history

Source

amacachi

Turtyturd wrote: »

Doesn't seem like that long since these two last played.

Maybe you're thinking of this.

Balfie

amacachi wrote: »

Maybe you're thinking of this.

Sorry, I had looked but not found a thread so thought I would start one.. Didn't look hard enough and I think I need a trip back to specsavers.. :pac:


Sorry bout that lads.

Frisbee

Not confident of a win at all here, in fact I'm expecting a loss. Adebayor is nailed on to score too, balance of my PP account going on it.

Leiva

Frisbee wrote: »

Not confident of a win at all here, in fact I'm expecting a loss. Adebayor is nailed on to score too, balance of my PP account going on it.

Any odds ?

i threw a fiver on adebayor to score first and spurs to win 2-0, 45/1

Shanotheslayer

I went for a draw at 5/2

L'prof

mike65

Any chance you could both lose?

I think Arsenal will do better than is being assumed by some (many?), should be goals so I think 2-2.

Leiva

Dont know why but I can see a red card ruining this .

mike65

Is this the dissident thread?

Turtyturd

mixednuts wrote: »

Dont know why but I can see a red card ruining this .

I hope not...I don't think I could take another bout of whinging this weekend.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

I'd be surprised if Santos didn't start for Arsenal tbh. Regardless of who plays on the right for us it's definitely our weakest area of the pitch, and I think Wenger will be looking to take advantage of that.

everdead.ie

Absolutely bricking it no one seems to be giving Arsenal a chance and that worries me I really hope we win and win well but I am worried we could lose this one well as well

flahavaj

Arsenal will get at least a point.

Blatter

Yeah PP are refunding 1st goalscorer bets/ scorecasts etc. If Adabayor scores anytime in 90 mins.

Great offer imo. Ade will defo get chances, it's just a matter of taking one of then.

Pires has been training with the squad all week. If anyone knows how big the NLD is it's that man.

I'm putting money on a 2-2 draw. A red card for Frimpong is good odds at 20/1, so putting a cheeky fiver on that.


But for the sake of balance, I'm gonna say 3-1 to the Gunners on this thread :pac:

cson

Surprised at the lack of interest in this. 2 page thread?

bamboozling

cson wrote: »

Surprised at the lack of interest in this. 2 page thread?

It's effectively a battle for 5th place I reckon. The lustre of the North London Derby is long gone.

Wolfe Tone

bamboozling wrote: »

It's effectively a battle for 5th place I reckon. The lustre of the North London Derby is long gone.

Rubbish, I can't wait for this, one of my favorite fixtures.

Mr Alan

bamboozling wrote: »

It's effectively a battle for 5th place I reckon. The lustre of the North London Derby is long gone.

What is wrong with you?

Both these teams finished ahead of Liverpool last season & one of em hockeyed us recently-a bit of respect wouldn't go astray.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

bamboozling wrote: »

It's effectively a battle for 5th place I reckon. The lustre of the North London Derby is long gone.

Aye, what chance do we have of fourth when Liverpool are challenging for the title :pac:

bamboozling

Mr Alan wrote: »

What is wrong with you?

Both these teams finished ahead of Liverpool last season & one of em hockeyed us recently-a bit of respect wouldn't go astray.

Liverpool have improved massively over the summer. Arsenal have regressed, and Spurs have stood still. In my power rankings I have Liverpool and Chelsea battling for 3rd and 4th and NLD teams battling for 5th and 6th.

THFC wrote: »

Aye, what chance do we have of fourth when Liverpool are challenging for the title :pac:

Now you have it!

Mr Alan

You may be right (I don't think so), but the way you conduct yourself when talking about football here is cringeworthy. Please try cool it down a bit.

BERBA

bamboozling wrote: »

It's effectively a battle for 5th place I reckon. The lustre of the North London Derby is long gone.

battle for 5th ? what was week before last versus pool at WHL?

Dont answer that Bam?;)

bamboozling

Mr Alan wrote: »

You may be right (I don't think so), but the way you conduct yourself when talking about football here is cringeworthy. Please try cool it down a bit.

Okay duly noted. I think people here just misunderstand the Bam Man. I'm not sure why but I'll try and post differently if it helps.

G.K.

bamboozling wrote: »

Spurs have stood still.

Because losing no key players and getting Friedel, Parker, Adebayor, Iago and 2 highly rated youths is standing still.

bamboozling

G.K. wrote: »

Because losing no key players and getting Friedel, Parker, Adebayor, Iago and 2 highly rated youths is standing still.

Adebayor doesn't really count he'll be gone within a year. Also Spurs lost Keane, Hutton, Jenas and many other important squad players.

the untitled user

lol. this season has a long long way to run yet. United never finish strong when they come out of the traps early, City are a broken nail away from an implosion and Chelsea still have to find rhythm. Spurs and Pool can beat anyone on their day but still lack depth to go the whole hog imo, and Arsenal on their day can be beaten by anyone...

All the matters at the moment is the next game! COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

G.K.

bamboozling wrote: »

Adebayor doesn't really count he'll be gone within a year. Also Spurs lost Keane, Hutton, Jenas and many other important squad players.

None of those players were even 2nd choice. Walker/Corluka, Defoe/Adebayor/Pavulychenko, Parker/Sandro/Modric/VDV/Livermore/Kranjcar

Who are the many other important squad players? Crouch? Woodgate? Palacios? If you look at the squad all those places are comfortably filled depth wise.

And of course Adebayor counts. Just because he'll only be there for a year doesn't mean he hasn't improved the squad by being there, or will have a good effect on the team - he already has.

Someone PM'med me to ask you to tell you this:

irishmover wrote:

Hey I cant post in the NLD thread but please tell bamboozling he's clueless. Adebayor doesnt count, yet his goals this season could propel spurs to 4th. And Keane, Hutton and Jenas were all terrible fringe players. Our squad is much better than last season.

That guy is bafflingly stupid.

For the record - I don't think you're stupid at all, though some of yuor posts confuse me.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

bamboozling wrote: »

Liverpool have improved massively over the summer. Arsenal have regressed, and Spurs have stood still.

This is all I'll say on the subject, don't want to drag the thread completely OT, but Downing, Adam and Henderson add little. Enrique was a good buy but ye're defence is still a shambles.
Spurs got POTY last year and a 20 goal a season striker. We also have King back which is like a new signing. If anything it's the opposite of what you said.
Anyways, PM if you don't agree. I don't think anyone else wants another Liverpool related thread only yourself.

bamboozling

THFC wrote: »

This is all I'll say on the subject, don't want to drag the thread completely OT, but Downing, Adam and Henderson add little. Enrique was a good buy but ye're defence is still a shambles.
Spurs got POTY last year and a 20 goal a season striker. We also have King back which is like a new signing. If anything it's the opposite of what you said.
Anyways, PM if you don't agree. I don't think anyone else wants another Liverpool related thread only yourself.

Look we'll agree to disagree. I'm gonna bow out anyway with my head held high. Best of luck to both teams, I'd like Arsenal to win.

iMuse

Coquelin rumoured to start for arsenal.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

iMuse wrote: »

Coquelin rumoured to start for arsenal.

At RB I presume with Sagna moving to the middle? Always fancied to Frimpong to get a red, perhaps Wenger thinks the same?

iMuse

#thfc: Friedel; Walker Kaboul King Assou-Ekotto; Van der Vaart Parker Modric Bale; Adebayor Defoe.

Arsenal - Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Song, Gibbs, Coquelin, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervino, Van Persie.

Wolfe Tone

That is a really tasty Spurs team, quality midfield!

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Spurs line-up:

Friedal
Walker Kaboul King BAE
VdV Parker Modric Bale
Defoe Adebayor


edit: iMuse got there first.

edit: subs - Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Livermore, Sandro, Giovani, Pavlyuchenko.

G.K.

Why would Coquelin not play DM?

FearDark

Worried for us again today, think spurs will maul us

iMuse

G.K. wrote: »

Why would Coquelin not play DM?

He is, Song is playing CB.

Arsenal: Substitutes: Fabianski, Andre Santos, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Arshavin, Benayoun, Park.

Spurs will win easily.

ItsAWindUp

This will be one good game of football.