What Arsenal Need: They need to play their beautiful game and their opponents won't be able to keep up. If the Gunners play their quick, short, dynamic passing style they are sure to create chances in front of goal and then it's just down to taking a good percentage of your chances. If Arsenal create ten chances, they could score two or three today.
Gilberto needs to have a good game, even though he'll be getting over his jet lag, but at least at centre back there's less running to do than at centre midfield. Whoever plays in place of Gilberto in midfield needs a good game today by protecting the back four and disrupting their opponent's play.
Things To Watch Out For: Spurs are going to come out kicking and screaming, like a child having a tantrum and the Gunners will have to be professional and patient in dealing with this approach. Jol will have them wound up in the dressing room and I can see the home side getting a few bookings early on. The Gunners cannot retaliate and need to let their football do the talking.
I believe Wenger will go with Adebayor up front but I think he'll be feeling Da Silva breathing down his neck. The Crozilian has scored 12 in 17 appearances for Croatia and scored three in two games during the international break.
Hopes For The Match: I hope Da Silva gets a good run out this afternoon. Wenger will probably only play him for about twenty minutes but I'll be watching him closely as he does excite me as a player.
I'm looking for the strikers to start taking a better percentage of their chances in front of goal. What I don't want is another "20 chance but one goal" display like we had at home to Everton last year.
Obviously I hope the Gunners don't pick up any needless bookings and more importantly any injuries.
Team Selection:
Apart from Gilberto replacing the injured Gallas it'll be the Gunners first choice back four starting today, so I'm looking for a solid performance from them.
Once again in midfield it'll be three of the first choice four players starting the match. I'm not sure who Wenger will start alongside Fabregas, but I have a sneaky feeling it'll be Flamini. Although from the poll I conducted last week most fans would prefer Diaby or Diarra.
Up front will be van Persie and Adebayor, but the Togolese player will be feeling the pressure from Da Silva.
| My team selection for this game: Adebayor, van Persie Rosicky, Diaby, Fabregas, Hleb Clichy, Gilberto, Toure, Sagna Almunia Subs: Fabianski, Hoyte, Diarra, Walcott, Da Silva |
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Unavailable: Lehmann (Elbow), Gallas (groin); Eboue (ankle); Senderos (suspended)
Long-term issues: I'm not sure Wenger has enough depth up front or on the wings but the transfer window slammed shut a few weeks ago and so we have to go with what we have.
Prediction: Spurs 0 Arsenal 2
