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Home   >   Match   >   NLD Preview: Spurs v Arsenal, key man a doubt, Welbeck starts + prediction

NLD Preview: Spurs v Arsenal, key man a doubt, Welbeck starts + prediction

By on April 29, 2017

Arsenal desperately need a win at White Hart Lane tomorrow to not only give our hopes of finishing in the top four a major boost but to also derail Tottenham’s title bid.

We kept alive our hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a narrow 1-0 win over Leicester on Wednesday night and the Manchester derby went our way after Mourinho’s bored us all to a 0-0 draw.

The results leave us sixth in the table but we’re just five off fourth-placed City with a game in hand while Liverpool are six ahead but we have two games on the Merseysiders, so it’s going to be tight for the top four.

Unfortunately Spurs have more important things to worry about as they are still chasing down Chelsea in the title race with our neighbours keeping the gap at four points with a 1-0 win at Palace in midweek.

Chelsea are at Goodison Park to take on Everton tomorrow so hopefully if they can pick up three points, a win for us at the Lane would all-but end their title hopes for yet another season.

Team News

Koscielny is facing a late test on a knee injury that he picked up against Leicester but fingers crossed he’ll make it as it would be a huge loss if he was ruled out.

Mustafi is still two weeks away from recovering from a thigh injury so it looks like Rob Holding should get a recall at the back tomorrow, if Wenger continues with the back three.

Ospina could be back in the squad after recovering from a back problem but Cazorla and Perez are still missing.

As for Spurs, they’ll make a late decision on Dembele as he’s got an ankle issue but thankfully Rose isn’t ready to return just yet.

Preferred line-up

I hope we stick with the back three and if Kos is passed fit then he should be partnered by Holding and Gabriel – who’s been excellent recently.

Arguably the biggest decision Wenger has to make is who to start in the right wing-back role. Oxlade-Chamberlain was excellent against Boro and City in the position but Bellerin is the more natural player to occupy the role. I’d go with Hector and play The Ox in the middle.

The easiest decision for me would be to start Welbeck up front as Giroud has been useless leading the line in this new formation so let’s use him from the bench if needed.

football formations

As for Tottenham, they are expected to line-up: Lloris – Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen – Walker, Wanyama, Dembele, Davies – Alli, Eriksen, Kane

Prediction

I hate predicting North London Derbies at the best of times but this is a tough one as we can’t deny Tottenham are looking strong right now. They’ve won eight on the spin in the league and have the bit between their teeth to catch Chelsea. We HAVE to match their intensity tomorrow as we could be caught cold if we start slowly again.

Hopefully Arsene Wenger can bring away a positive result from our last visit to the Lane. I’m going for a 2-2 draw. Spurs 2-2 Arsenal