Tottenham Hotspur hosts Arsenal in today’s North London Derby Premier League early morning kickoff! Arsenal come into the match in a bit of form winning their last three matches against Bate Borisov to qualify for the next round of the Europa League, and two wins in the league versus Southampton and a 5-1 battering over Bournemouth!
After losing two games in a row to Burnley and Chelsea, Spurs manager Pochettino must get a win in order to keep his sides out of the top four race and remain in third. A lost to Arsenal will bring the gunners one point behind Tottenham entering them into the top four race, but a win will put them 7 points ahead and they’ll most likely claim that third place position. Spurs can have hope of a result as they haven’t tied a game all season, they either win or lose, and Arsenal haven’t won at their home since 2014.
ARSENAL LINEUPS:
GK: Leno
LB: Monreal CB: Koscielny CB: Sokratis RB: Mustafi*
LCM: Xhaka RCM: Guendouzi*
LM: Iwobi CAM: Ramsey* RM: Mkhitaryan
ST: Lacazette
Defense: With Arsenal having a rightback crisis, I have been calling for Emery to play Mustafi in rightback as he did when he won the World Cup with Germany but I don’t believe today should have been the game to experiment it as Spurs are a really strong opponent. I would have preferred 3 in the back with two wing backs with Kolasinac starting as that’s when we are most dangerous but Emery has preferred a 4-2-3-1 formation and I believe he knows what he doing
Defensive Midfield: Last game Guendouzi caused an error that led to goal versus Bournemouth and with him only being 20 years old, I hope it doesn’t get to his head and get him nervous. The one thing I don’t agree at all with this lineup is not starting Lucas Torreira, he is our most important player when it comes to defense as he has made us more solid and I’m worried that with his absence, the gunners won’t be as protected in the back which we need as our away form is poor. Torreira and Xhaka have also made a great partnership together.
Attacking Midfield: With Mesut Ozil beginning to pick up form, I would have liked for him to start the game with size of the pitch at Wembley being larger, it is a perfect game for Ozil who could pick out beautiful passes to the forwards. I also don’t believe he is a player to bring off the bench, I don’t believe he’ll have an impact.
SPURS LINEUP:
GK: Lloris
LCB: Vertonghen CB: Sanchez RCB: Alderwield
LWB: Rose RWB: Trippier
CM: Sissoko CM: Wanyama
CAM: Eriksen CAM: SON*
ST: KANE
This a beautiful line up for Pochetino who has all his important players starting. The three in the back or probably the best three in the back in the league and the wingbacks will be very powerful. They have a strong defensive midfield but the attack is where I wonder what will happen. Kane is seemed to be rushed to back and they’ve lost their two games since he’s come back. Son had 4 goals in 6 games without Kane but with return he’s had 0 zero shots.
This will be a very important game for both sides, with a win or loss determining either team with a Champions League spot.
Alex's Soccer Blog 