The third and final North London Derby of the season is almost upon us. It's currently one a piece as the Gunners bossed the first league clash at the Emirates in early December, whilst Pochettino's men grabbed a convincing away victory later on that same month in the Carabao Cup. The gap sits at four points right now but an Arsenal win reels it down to just one point with nine games to play. It will be tough as all form goes out the window for this one. However, judging by midweek's performances, it's a good time to play the Spuds - if ever there is a good time!
Emery's main decision to make is the shape, as this will heavily impact the starting personnel. He could opt to choose his players first and then fit them into a formation but away against a top six rival in a pivotal clash, this could be dangerous. Carl Jenkinson returned to league action last time out and after having a pretty good game at right wing back, he'll be in contention to start once again. The central defensive pairing looked a little safer with Sokratis and Koscielny in tandem whilst both Monreal and Kolasinac saw valuable pitch time. The Bosnian left the pitch early in the second half on Wednesday night and is now a doubt for this game. However, the reliable Monreal is the alternative left back or left wing back should he be required. Bernd Leno is getting better and better game by game and will be more than keen to blank his North London rivals with a clean sheet. Ainsley Maitland-Niles missed out again in mid-week through illness - well hadn't recovered in time - so he is expected to be available again for tomorrow but a starting place could come too soon.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka missed out altogether against Bournemouth which suggests that he is a shoe in to start tomorrow. Torreira paired with him in the home league win against Spurs in December and this is again the likely engine room combination. The biggest personnel dilemma for Unai Emery is whether he deviates from the bang in form Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Both deserve to start but both can equally be guilty of avoiding hard work at times. And nothing less than hard work will win Arsenal all three points. Alex Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will both be desperate to start, as they are in good touch and are always willing workers. Lacazette is probably in the better personal form but Aubameyang's lightning pace away from home could be too much to handle for Spurs. If both were to start (Aubameyang from the left and Lacazette centrally), then Aaron Ramsey could come into the midfield to do a job on Winks and co. Much like the Chelsea win at the Emirates a couple of months back, Ramsey came into the side and performed expertly doing a great job on Jorginho and playing him out of the game completely. A similar output would be great from the Welshman should he come into the side. As much as all Arsenal fans would love to see a front four of Aubameyang, Lacazette, Ozil and Mkhitaryan, I just don't see it happening away from home. I hope I'm wrong but knowing Emery like we do now, Iwobi and Guendouzi (or a back three) are more workmanlike alternatives that the man in charge often turns to in tough away games.
The hosts were woeful against Chelsea. Although, tomorrow's a new day and equally a new game, Spurs really need to up their game from Wednesday's levels. Harry Kane - one of the league's best players - didn't turn up. He got embroiled in a scrap or two that's since seen him luckily get away without a ban but beyond all the handbags, he literally did nothing all game. Whether he's injured still or just had an off day, we'd like to see more of the same please. Still without the maverick Dele Alli, Spurs are looking to Eriksen to create and control - but even he had a less than average night in mid-week. Son's form has dipped slightly too but regardless he's an industrial player, quick and always hungry to score; he'll be a threat all game long to Koscielny and co in the Arsenal rear guard. Jan Vertonghen missed the Chelsea game in mid week and is being assessed ahead of tomorrow's clash, as is midfielder Harry Winks although he did complete the full ninety on Wednesday. Eric Dier remains out following illness.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
RWB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
LWB: Nacho Monreal
RAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
LAM: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 1-0 to Arsenal with Lacazette finding the net.
@craigbennett10
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