Tottenham Preview
The work Christmas Party may have ended in the wee small hours of Friday morning but at least it gave me twenty-four hours to recover before another one starts. Whilst it was not yesterday, it is indeed a short three months since Fabregas and Adebayor made hay in the September sunshine at White Hart Lane.
Last Sundays win over Chelsea appeared to be the end of Emmanuel Eboue for the next few months but he has recovered with such speed that Lazarus would have done a double take. Passing a fitness test yesterday means that Theo Walcott is the only one troubling the clubs medical staff with a bout of ‘flu.
Unless Eboue passed the test with little to spare, it seems that logical that Arsene would field an unchanged starting XI this lunchtime. This would mean Robin van Persie staying on the bench in a 4 – 4 – 1 – 1. If van Persie is to start, it is a tough choice to see who will drop out but my guess would be Rosicky with Hleb moving to the left. Having endured a physically stretching midweek battle at Ewood Park, the best any of that side can hope for is a place on the bench. A lineup of
Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky; Hleb; Adebayor
and a bench of
Lehmann, Song, Gilberto, Bendtner, van Persie
seems most likely.
Whilst Tottenham have improved under Juande Ramos, this remains a game that Arsenal ought to win. Any wariness about the result comes from the fact that this is a derby game where the formbook does not go out of the window but it makes a hasty sprint for the door, sometimes making its exit. The intensity of the match makes up for a lack of technical finesse. It is up to Arsenal to impose themselves upon Tottenham and render their ‘fighting’ spirit impotent for that will be their gameplan, aware that Arsenal are a more technically accomplished side. Three points would put pressure on United, Chelsea and Liverpool to deliver in what ought to be relatively straightforward victories this weekend.
Elsewhere, the Champions League draw paired us with AC Milan, one of the tougher teams left. They should be respected but not feared for they remain beatable. The area where wariness dawns is that their recent domestic form is not living up to their past but in both European and Global competition it is. A club that has appeared in three finals and a semi-final in the past five seasons should not be dismissed lightly, especially when the World Club Cup victory recently is thrown into the mix. Whilst the club officials may have dismissed as Arsenal with a glib ‘we have played better teams in the past, we will play better in the future’, Carlo Ancelotti was more circumspect,
Arsenal were among the most feared sides in this draw. They are better than Liverpool technically, but they are less experienced. This Milan side have never faced a London team and it will be good to play there. Arsenal are a very young side, very promising and with great talent. They started the season very well and they are top of their league even if I think they are slowing down a bit now. However, they have a player like [Cesc] Fábregas, one of the best midfielders in the world right now, and we will have to be very careful with him
I wonder if Arsene looked at Sevilla’s draw and partly regrets not taking advantage of the lead in Spain or the poor performance in Prague. Probably not as he sips his Bordeaux in the bath, singing, “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”.
Talking of broken records, Jens Lehmann has been at it again with a healthy dose of paranoia thrown in. Oh, what the hell, he is off the hook today. Enjoy the match wherever you are watching it. ‘til Tomorrow
Posted on December 22, 2007, in Arsenal, Champions League, Football, Premier League, Premiership, Soccer. Bookmark the permalink. 36 Comments.
![Blog This Here](http://www.blogthishere.com/button.png"style="height:15px;width:80px;border:0"alt="BlogThisHere")
A Cultured Left Foot 
song on the bench instead of Van Persie HELLO!!!!
A lineup of Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Rosicky; Hleb; Adebayor
and a bench of Lehmann, Song, Gilberto, Bendtner, Senderos
seems most likely.
So, you’re leaving Van Persie out completely??
I think there is no doubt we will be 4-4-2, with Hleb and Rosicky on the wings, Cesc and Flam in the middle, Ade and RvP up front.
Eboue, Bentner, Diarra, Song / Senderos, Fabianski / Lehmann on the bench. Maybe.
Barely a month ago, AC Milan coach, Carlo Ancelotti, doubted Arsenal’s Champions League pedigree, chances, and mettle.
http://tinyurl.com/2ur4bj
Is he changing his tune now that we’ve drawn his team?
Good to see you were all paying attention. No, of course not leaving RvP out! It’s been a long couple of days and writing at 6am has never been a strong point of mine.
If Eboue is fit, Arsene will include him and perhaps withdraw after an hour, depending on how physical the game is. Any mixing it by Tottenham is more likely to see Rosicky replaced by RvP.
YW
Good preview Yogi, I would like Diarra included in some way. Perhaps fatigue might not make that happen but whoever plays three points are paramount
Heres hoping!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Good post but I would have to disagree with your lineup. While it may not happen, I still think our best lineup at home is:
almunia
sagna toure gallas clichy
hleb fabregas flamini rosicky
ade RVP
I would LOVE to see this lineup, as I think it more attacking, and theres no reason to be defensive at home.
I agree Gareth and Z, but think Yogi is guessing the likely side rather than picking his own. I would absolutely prefer to see us return to 4-4-2, with Eboue left on the bench and Van Persie returning alongside Ade in what I belive is the most dynamic partnership in the Premiership if not the world.
That’s a big statement for two that have so much more potential to fulfill still, but I cannot think of many front twos to even rival them. Maybe, that is more a reflection on fewer teams employing a front two.
Leaving Eboue out would be harsh because is influence over games is growing. His partnership with Sagna is strong and he offers the kind of direct threat we often lack. I think it’s most likey Wenger will go with the team Yogi picked. As a point though, if Eboue is going to work this right midfield thing out, he really should work on his shooting.
Whatever team, we have to beat this Spurs side. No let ups for the new boss. They are not a patch on us and we need to get back on the kind of winning run that pessures the chasing pack.
Diarra for Flamini?
Just to give Matthieu something to think about
Danny, you are right. Eboue needs to work on his shooting. He shoots like a defender…meaning he cannot hit a cows arse with the proverbial banjo. But, if fit, it is more than likely he will play today. Arsene’s philosophy this season is very consistent. Ade up top with a roving Hleb just behind, supported by a midfield of four plus the defenders. It gives the team a better balance offensively and defensively than a traditional 4-4-2 which has no room for Eboue, as you outlined in your post. We can argue forever about the merits and demerits of either formations but it is the results that count, isn’t it.
The only thing Shotta, is that we played 4-4-2 when Van Persie was fit. With Hleb and Rosicky on the flanks and put together the run of form that started this title charge off.
I would say since we went 4-4-1-1, our results have not always been as spectatcular. I know that this argument is hindered by the fact the 4-4-1-1 period has coincided with bigger games and the absence of Van Persie, certainly our most lethal attacker. So it is not clear cut.
It looks like we see a mixture of the two formations from now on. Horses for courses at times, with 4-4-1-1 most likely in use for tough away games and of course the Milan fixture.
It’s possible the 4-4-2 may win the day if Ade and Van Persie return to rampant form and give the boss no choice but to start the pair.
What I read on arsenal.com gave me mixed signals about eboue’s fitness. He’s in the squad, but Wenger says he isnt sure about him…at least thats the impression I got. After reading that, I think he probably wont start.
“So, you’re leaving Van Persie out completely??”
Yogi unintentionally read the future I think.
Was hoping for a sentence or two on the Beckham news…
Maybe the next post…
How good does that feel? Happy christmas fellow Arse fans.
Almunia still RULES
We were poor today.
I’m not going to hammer Almunia, the penalty save was not the most amazing, bloody important as it was but the Berbatov strike should never find the net.
We were poor because we were a bit flat, that does seem to happen smetimes when the players are well rested. odd. Hleb and Fab, our chief creators had maybe their most ineffective games. Rosicky is slowly improving at least. Pompey away will be tough, I guess i’ll settle for another grinded out win, but would fancy us to step up a gear.
Three points, but dissappointed overall. Maybe that’s harsh. Maybe, I’m just worried I haven’t bought the Christmas presents.
Danny, agree we were not at our best, but glad we got the result. Full marks to totenham, especially the young ex-gun that they paraded in midfield- Oshare. He was simply amazing for them. This was a game that showed a much improved Totenham. Amazing what Ramos can do in so short a time!
Alumina has a strong stake to that GK slot after his performance today. I hope he keeps on performing like this!
What I do not fully understand and Gunners help me here is why AW delayed till 74 mins before he made his change?
Think if he had Theo or Van Persie available the change would have come sooner.
Tottenham have improved, but an 70% performance from us and we would have put 4 or 5 past Robinson today!
I was a bit worried that the team may not be fully focussed after the CL draw pitted us against AC Milan yesterday. Also the long lay off is sometimes a mixed-blessing as they seem to havelost a little of their fluency. It felt like they were more concerned about not losing rather than winning and their play was a little inhibited. But I’m not disappointed about the performance. I’m ecstatic about the result. Going into Christmas with a win and still top of the league. As much as I was completely behind this team during the summer, it’s much more than I ever really expected. Well done lads.
“I’m not going to hammer Almunia, the penalty save was not the most amazing, bloody important as it was but the Berbatov strike should never find the net.”
What? That shot was almost unstoppable, flying at a zillion miles an hour.
He ducked under it Nacho.
It was near post, i’m not after hammering him so I going to try not to go overboard.
I felt nearpost strikes that are barely above eye level should not find the net.
looking at the Replay the Berbatov goal actually took a deflection so i cant blame Almunia for it.
We were off the boil today but bear in mind they still couldn’t beat us shows the difference in class that is still there. we will need to pick up at Pompey and Everton though
I am not even sure who our best player was, maybe Sagna, his clearing header in the first half was crucial. I thought we sat too deep in the first half, but the second was better, but fair play to the spuds they looked dangerous and it was an immense improvement from the white hart lane game.
Cesc seemed off form but he showed his class in the goal, what a back heel and a great finish from Ade. And well done Nic Bendtner, that boy is really starting to make me eat my words pre-season, hopefully the goal will start a flurry.
Either way we did the double over the spuds so bragging rights go through to next season even if they do put out our kids in the League Cup, and we will be top when Santa comes to visit…..Superb and again I eat my pre-season humble pie, but honestly did even the most positive of Arsenal fans think we would be top at Crimbo
Certainly, never ruled it out Pat.
Don’t try twisting it, you’ve plenty of humble pie to eat. You were unquestionably the fiercest doubter, pre-season.
You keep munching it. I’ll have to check the replay on the goal, then maybe i’ll have some.
To be fair to you Pat, you’re holding your hands up.
There were worst than me Danny, surely Dan or Ethan hold that title.
Pleased to be eating it though and hopefully I will still be eating it in May!!!
Does anyone know why van persie did not feature?
RVP was injured (took a knock) in training
The goal Almunia conceded, many goal keepers concede. Cesc’s goal against Man C is similar, when someone shoots right above your head from this close range, most likely you’ll concede it most of the time. In this case, the ball was past him before he can do anything, same as the once Cesc shot at Schmichel Junior.
Anyways, this penalty save regardless of how bad Keane’s shot was, was the turning point in this game. I think we should give credit to Almunia, his teammates did at the end of the, so should we.
Soccer Ball $20
Nike gooalkeeper’s gloves $40
Seeing Mad Jens face after Almunia’s penalty save….Priceless
is it just me, or do we always seem to play a lot better in a 4-4-2? I really cant understand why we persist with the 4-5-1. yes in very hard away games I can see why its used but I cannot understand why at home, we use that formation. it hands the impetus to the opposition. As soon as Bendtner came on we had a proper game and a decent performance. I dont even think its because Eboue was poor, its purely down to the formation.
we were poor today and lucky to get the win. one day they will beat us. they have improved a lot and could do us in the carling cup. I wont cry if that happens.
Thats a good call Gazzap, I dont think we create enough when playing 4-5-1 and the smooth atractive football seems to suffer and in some ways it seems a bit alien to the players.
But it also seems to be somehow working and maybe this time last year we would have lost today, and maybe if Keane had of scored we would have lost…..
Today though I think Van Persie’s late injury forced his hand, and he still prefers the 4-5-1 to playing either Bendtner or Eduardo, otherwise we would have started 4-4-2 and in my opinion would have won comfortably.
Ultimately you need a bit of luck and today Arsenal got a big slice to go with the humble pie I am eating for being Christmas No.1 and it tastes good
Gazzap and Pat, I also wondered why we kept playing this 4-4-1-1/4-5-1 thing which is quite unnecessarly cautious at home, despite NLD and the improving Spurs thanks to Juande Ramos all that, IMO. I even felt the players started in an hesitating, tentative way and the formation had probably got into their heads and made them a bit too conservative and uncreative in the 1st half, even though that might not have been Arsene’s brief to them – which of course I don’t know.
But I thought better of it. RvP had a knock and couldn’t play, Theo’s still out. The remaining 2 strikers we had on the bench were Eduardo and Bendtner, who I thought were good enough to earn a starting place, especially after their brilliant displays at Blackburn. But at Blackburn Bendtner played 120 mins, Eduardo 116, just on Tue night then travelled back to London. That I guess would explain the formation.
To be honest, we played quite poorly. Cesc, Flamini and Hleb had an off day while Rosicky was livelier in the midfield. I think our defence was better but just a bit. But that said, Cesc on his off day still provided 2 assists, the 1st one a sublime one. What can you say?
Gunner4ever on Mad Jens, yes I also LOL when the camera panned to him and stayed there! Almunia stole the show and rightly so. Will anyone still questoin him being our No. 1? For me the last bit of doubt was cleared during the Chelsea game. Mad Jens also knew at that moment (when Almunia saved that game-turning penalty) he had to go, sooner rather than later. Time to say thanks to our once-invincible-but-very-mad keeper.
And I watched MotD, which showed Rosicky’s 2 valid (IMO) penalty claims and 1 where Sagna did trip Taarabt (one of their better players btw). So if your friends/colleagues/family challenge your bragging rights about Arsenal’s narrow win today, you can mention that. 😉
Did anyone else think that Gilberto was a bit rubbish when he came on? I thought he kept giving the ball away and didn’t seem to calm the defence down as much as I would have expected. I feel a bit guilty for thinking this, but I feel Diarra is now well and truly ahead in terms of a straight pecking order (although Diarra did have a gruelling 120 minutes midweek).
Izi,
I feel the same way, there is nothing to feel guitly about. Gilberto gave us the best of his career and he’s now older, there is nothing wrong with being old, but there is when you play in the EPL…..you’re just not that fast in your thinking or your legs.
In the EPL and in most games, you only have a fraction of a second to a couple of seconds before someone will tacle you or the ball. There is a reason Wenger wants players from an early age to get the best out of them between 22 to 30 years old.
There are a few exceptions of course, the Great Bergkamp is one of them.
G4E
Louisa – Rosicky did have at least one very very valid penalty claim that I remember, although nobody even mentioned it, where I think it was Kaboul who took out his shooting leg…I was up screaming (after seeing the replay) but none of the players made a fuss, so I wasnt sure…
G4E i completely agree with your comment on Almunia, i feel we should give him the credit for the penalty save no matter how bad the kick was. With regard to the goal i would agree a keeper shouldnt really concede from that angle but in fairness it could not have been shot much harder and to be just below the bar as it was i think we should give Berbatov(sorry if its spelt wrong) credit rather than blame Manuel.
Gazzap couldnt agree more about the formation, although had RVP been fit we might well have seen two up front. I can fully understand us playing like this away and in Europe but it does baffle me why we dont go for it at home especially when we have a full team albeit some just back from injury.
The Gilberto situation is interesting, the reason he looks off the pace when he comes on is not down to age but because he hasnt hardly had any playing time, but i would agree Arsene has to make a decision on whether he goes in Jan or the end of the season. My hunch is that he will stay as we will need all our players for the run in, his experience will be invaluable.
Watching this match again, I give a lot of credit to Totenham for the massive improvement. They clipped our wing play With Ebue and also had good midfield possession. I feel AW should have brought Bendner earlier and Diarra or Song to replace Hleb as DM, not Gilbero.
Pingback: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur [2-1] « Arsenal Goals