On the eighty-first anniversary of the BBC’s first live football broadcast, a one-all draw between Arsenal and Sheffield United in 1927, the abundant flow of matches televised live continues at White Hart Lane this evening in the second leg of the Carling Cup Semi Final.

It is an interesting contrast in the fortunes of the two clubs in recent decades that the match appears to mean significantly more to Tottenham fans than to those of Arsenal. Not that they care more about their team, simply that the League Cup is the lesser of the four fronts upon which Arsenal are challenging this season. You wonder how much longer that will last with the continual degradation of the FA Cup’s importance over recent years, the procession of top four clubs winning the trophy diminishing interest as the season wears on.

Having received a minor knock on Saturday at Fulham, Philippe Senderos is unavailable and William Gallas will lead the team out. Who partners him in the centre is subject to much conjecture. The options appear to be Gilberto or Justin Hoyte, possibly his brother Gavin or Bacary Sagna. Having deputised well in the second half of the first leg, Justin Hoyte seems the more likely to be centre half, particularly now that Lassana Diarra can no longer fill the defensive midfielder role.

With two matches against Newcastle coming in quick succession, Mathieu Flamini could play there this evening and next Tuesday leaving Gilberto to perform the role on Saturday although Arsene commented yesterday,

I will rotate the squad which means those that didn’t play on Saturday will play at Tottenham and after that I will complete it with first-team players. I will use William Gallas because I have no choice but Fabianski will play, Hoyte will play and the players that didn’t play against Fulham will all play. Walcott will feature as well

Fabianksi had plenty to say ahead of tonight’s game,

We were losing at home, and before we scored the equaliser we didn’t have many chances. It didn’t look like we could get a goal, so perhaps the tie switched at the moment Theo scored. Our young team showed again that of course we have a high technical level, but also we have a great character. With the character we have, we have to be optimistic going into the second leg. We have to prepare well

If the competition is suffering a poor reputation amongst the fans, it should not be forgotten that for the younger players it is a chance of a medal and an appearance at Wembley much earlier in their careers than they might otherwise expect,

All I am thinking about at the moment is my next aim – to beat Spurs and get into the final at Wembley. Yes, that’s a dream, but I just want to play more games, wherever that is, so that means winning the semi-final. Of course, though, Wembley means something special, everybody knows about it. It just gives me another reason to want to win the semi-final

The Polish international has done well in the Cup games this season, boosting his confidence and reputation in much the same way that Manuel Almunia did. Whether he will be ready to challenge for a first team spot next season remains to be seen and indeed is a question that can be answered another day.

In midfield, Arsene gave an indication as to what to expect,

On the bench you might find a high number of players who have played a lot of Premier League games. Cesc could be involved. Last year at White Hart Lane [in the first leg of the semi-final] he became very influential when we were 2-0 down and gave strength in midfield and quality in the final third to help us come back [to 2-2]. We always have that kind of belief when we go over there. It’s a semi-final and, even when you’re down, you just have to go for it.

It seems that who will partner Bendtner up front and the midfield are inextricably linked. On current form, Eduardo ought to be the choice for strike partner and had Robin van Persie not been out, I am pretty sure that the Croat would have started. As it is, I suspect it will be Walcott who starts there. This leaves a vacancy on the right of midfield. Arsene could opt for Diaby and play Gibbs on the left although the recent cup tie at Burnley suggests it will be Randall on the right and Diaby the other flank with Denilson and Gilberto in the middle.

My team for tonight would be all first teamers but it will not happen so expect to see something like,

Fabianski; Sagna, Hoyte (J), Gallas, Traore; Randall, Denilson, Gilberto, Diaby; Walcott, Bendtner

With a bench of

Mannone, Hoyte (G), Fabregas, Eduardo, Lansbury

An indication of the importance that tonight’s hosts put on the game is shown by Jermaine Jenas and Michael Dawson whilst Ian Wright believes Tottenham will win, pointing out that the tournament means more to them and Everton, than it does to Arsenal and Chelsea. To be honest, anything less than a Tottenham win will put them into crisis. Not freefall in the League but the sort of mental process that defines ‘winners’ from ‘also-rans’. Their ‘need’ to win creates more pressure than a cup semi-final would have. It is this that may yet prove their undoing, fear playing a big part in their performance. Not fear of an opponent, fear of losing can inhibit even the best players, let alone those who currently play for Tottenham.

They should be considered favourites and ought to win given the experience they are expected to field. An Arsenal defeat will mean nothing much in the scheme of the season given the changes to the team fielded. Perhaps more important is the indications garnered this evening about the readiness of players such as Traore, Denilson and Randall to compete on a regular basis for first team action.

Enjoy the match wherever you watch it. ‘til Tomorrow.