Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Arsenal are hopeful Laurent Koscielny will recover from a hip problem in time to play, but right-back Hector Bellerin is still sidelined by a groin injury.
Mikel Arteta faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury, while David Ospina could return from a shoulder problem.
Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky remain out.
Tottenham left-back Danny Rose is expected to be available despite suffering a knock against Aston Villa.
Clinton Njie is close to recovering from a hamstring injury and could also feature, while fellow forward Son Heung-min made a substitute appearance against Anderlecht on Thursday after six weeks out.
Editor’s Note: So this is it, North London Derby Day. Arsenal are unbeaten in the last 5 Premier League matches and sit joint top of the Premier League while Tottenham are unbeaten in 10 and haven’t lost since the opening day of the season up at Old Trafford.
Arsenal were ritually humiliated on Wednesday against a ruthless Bayern Munich, while a day later Tottenham left it late to win against Anderlecht in the Europa League.
Arsenal are suffering from a host of injuries with possibly as many as 9 players missing from the match day squad while Tottenham are pretty much at full strength for their visit to The Emirates.
On the balance of things the only real factor splitting the sides at the moment and this is the most important criteria is league position. If results go their way Arsenal could go top of the table tonight out on their own, but Spurs certainly aren’t going to make it easy (well at least I hope we don’t)
After Arsenal miserable European adventure in Midweek the question is how do they bounce back, well the best possible way is with a win and what sweeter win is there then against your closest and most hated rivals, they will no doubt go in to the game slight favourites but Tottenham seemed to have created a mentality of not getting beat and will be looking to go one step closer to equalling their all time unbeaten Premier League run of 12 matches.
Can Tottenham come away with all 3 points today, there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t but of course it’s going to be no easy prospect. Harry Kane is finally in the goalscoring groove and keep a close eye on Moussa Dembele he has hit a purple patch of form and I wouldn’t be all that surprised if he got on the score sheet again today.
Honest opinion, I think they game will be a draw today. That’s not just me sitting on the fence, I think with Arsenal’s injury list they could be there for the taking but they will still be a threat going forward and I can see Giroud breaching the defence, that said I think there are goals in the Spurs side also. So I’m going for honours even today.
Come On You Spurs!
