One of the fiercest rivalries in the Premier League will be reignited on Sunday evening, when Tottenham Hotspur welcome Arsenal to White Hart Lane.
It goes without saying that both Tottenham and Arsenal will be looking for nothing less than victory against their sworn enemy and due to the fact that both teams are in desperate need of points, Sunday’s clash could hold even more significance than it already does.
After a bright start to his managerial career, Tim Sherwood is figuring out the harsh realities that come with being a Premier League manager and the last few weeks certainly have been testing times for the 45-year old. Following Tottenham’s disappointing defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Benfica, Sherwood’s managerial credentials have come under intense scrutiny and it is fair to say that he is already fighting to save his future at the club.
However, the game against Arsenal has probably come at a good time for Sherwood as if he is able to guide his side to victory over the Gunners, then he will certainly win over a couple of his doubters.
Likewise, Arsenal are also going through a mini-crisis where their credentials have been put into question. Although, the Gunners did manage to progress safely into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, their exit from the UEFA Champions League has been a bitter pill to swallow and with their form in the Premier League also suffering in the last few weeks, there is every possibility that Arsene Wenger’s men may well have to endure another fruitless season.
A trip to White Hart Lane is never an easy fixture for Arsenal but if the Gunners are to prove that they are still genuine title contenders then Arsene Wenger’s men should be looking at nothing less than three points against their rivals.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tim Sherwood has a couple of injury problems to contend with ahead of the clash. Captain Michael Dawson looks set to miss out due to a hamstring injury while Kyle Walker and Sandro picked up knocks in the clash against Benfica on Thursday and are doubtful. Moussa Dembele is also a doubt with a hamstring problem while Vlad Chiriches, Etienne Capoue and Erik Lamela are definitely ruled out.
Younes Kaboul looks set to continue at centre back in the absence of Dawson, alongside Jan Vertonghen while Kyle Naughton will most probably replace Kyle Walker at right-back, with Danny Rose being deployed on the left.
It will be interesting to see if Sherwood elects to go with a 4-4-2 formation or a five-man midfield. If Sherwood does in-fact go with a 4-5-1 formation then the midfield will most likely consist the trio of Paulinho, Nabil Bentaleb and Cristian Eriksen with Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon being deployed on the wings.
Emmanuel Adebayor could be leading the line for Spurs while the duo of Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Arsenal
Arsenal also have a couple of injury problems of their own after it was revealed that star man Mesut Ozil would be out for over a month while Aaron Ramsey looks set to continue his spell on the sidelines after failing to sufficiently recover from his thigh injury. The duo will join Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby on the casualty list.
Related: Possible Arsenal Lineup vs Tottenham
Nacho Monreal and Keiran Gibbs are also doubtful for the clash and if the two do not recover in time, then captain Thomas Vermaelen looks set to continue at left-back, with Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna completing the back-four.
Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini will most likely be the midfield pairing with Santi Cazorla playing as the playmaker in the absence of Ozil. Lukas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain look set to continue on the wings after their impressive performance against Bayern.
Olivier Giroud will once again lead the line for the Gunners while Yaya Sanogo could be fit enough to earn a place on the bench alongside Kim Kallstorm. Tomas Rosicky and Serge Gnabry will also be pushing for a start.
Probable Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur (Probable XI): Lloris; Rose, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Naughton; Lennon, Bentaleb, Eriksen, Paulinho, Townsend; Adebayor
Arsenal (Probable XI): Szczesny; Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna; Podolski, Arteta, Flamini, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud
Form
Tottenham Hotspur: W L W L L
Arsenal: W D L W D
Last Meetings
04/01/2014 Arsenal 2 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur (FA Cup)
01/09/2013 Arsenal 1 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur
03/03/2013 Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 1 Arsenal
Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction
Throughout the years, the North-London derby has produced a lot of goals and with the attacking talent on display, it should be no different on Sunday evening. While Arsenal have got the better of Spurs in their last few meetings, the Gunners have not won at White Hart Lane in their last five visits.
However, the form book should count for little after kick-off and with both Arsenal and Spurs in desperate need of three points, the two sides will definitely look to take the game by the scruff of the neck early on.
The match is very difficult to call as both the sides are well-matched in every department and are hampered by injuries to their key men as well. The match will be a feisty affair and could end up in an enthralling draw. The Tottenham vs Arsenal match will end in a 2-2 draw.\
Tottenham vs Arsenal TV Schedule
The Tottenham vs Arsenal match will be televised in the USA on NBCSN at 9:00 AM Pacific. For any other countries check LiveSoccerTV.
