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Preview: Spurs v Arsenal: Team News, Line-Up & Predicted Score

By on September 23, 2015
arsenal's olivier giroud

Image credit: Daily Star

The seasons first North London derby has arrived as Arsenal head to White Hart Lane to take on Tottenham in the 3rd round of the Capital One Cup this evening.

Depending on how you look at it, the game has either come at the best time for us. Or the worst time.

We’ve been unfortunate to lose consecutive games to Zagreb and Chelsea so the pressure is on for Arsene Wenger not to lose three games on the trot for the first time since 2010.

A huge game at our bitter rivals will either motivate the players even further to get back to winning ways, or it will just add even more pressure to their shoulders.

I would personally rather we were playing a League Two side at home but hopefully the players will see tonight’s game as the perfect chance to put Saturday’s nightmare at Stamford Bridge behind us.

Spurs haven’t been in great form themselves and have been fortunate to secure 1-0 wins over Sunderland and Palace in recent weeks, but no doubt they’ll also raise their game for the NLD tonight.

Team News

Gabriel is available for selection after his red card against Chelsea was overturned by the FA but with a separate improper conduct charge likely to bring at least a one-game ban, the Brazilian is set to start tonight.

Mertesacker is also available after recovering from a virus so i suspect he’ll come in for Koscielny at the back.

Arsene has vowed to field an experienced side but I still think we’ll see a number of the second string start with Debuchy, Gibbs, Giroud and Ospina coming in.

Coquelin has been ruled out with a minor knee injury so Arteta is set to fill in alongside Ramsey – who should start in the middle with Cazorla suspended.

As for Tottenham, they are also expected to make a few changes to their eleven but Mason, Bentaleb and Dembele have all been ruled out.

Preferred Line-Up

This is the line-up I’d like to see start. Sanchez hasn’t looked himself this season and I think he could do with a breather but I wouldn’t be surprised if the boss decides to start him this evening.

My side is still packed with experience and more than enough quality to get a positive result tonight but we’ll have to see what eleven Wenger puts out.

Predicted Score

Games at the Lane are rarely straight forward, irrespective of form or what eleven is put out, and I think it’s going to be another close match tonight. We haven’t been playing our free-flowing football this season but I think our squad is stronger than Tottenham’s so hopefully we can edge it – although it may take extra time to get the win.

Spurs 1-2 Arsenal A.E.T

COYG!!!

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