One of the first games Arsenal fans search for on the fixture list is when they play Tottenham, and tomorrow The Gunners meet Spurs for the first time this season at The Emirates.
We may have the home advantage but, needless to say, we have been poor, with our last win coming against QPR in, dare I say it, fortuitous circumstances.
The last time we faced Spurs we handed them a 5-2 demolition. Coincidentally, the last time we came across a side managed by their new manager we came out on top with a stunning 5-3 victory. Taking this into consideration, I feel very confident that we could get a result tomorrow. Although there are slight concerns over Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott’s fitness.
The starting XI I feel we should send out tomorrow afternoon is as followed:
Mannone
Sagna (if fit) Koscielny Mertesacker Vermaelen
Arteta Wilshere Cazorla
Walcott (if fit) Giroud Podolski
The defence looks a certainty unless Arsene Wenger decides to play Andre Santos at left-back and let Vermaelen partner Koscielny to try and stop Spurs’ pacey forwards. It would be a more comfortable back-line with the Brazilian in it, but he hasn’t been great recently. If Sagna is not fit to play then Carl Jenkinson will almost certainly be selected.
Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla will no doubt start the game, while Wilshere, who served his one match ban, is available for selection. However, the England midfielder may be benched for Francis Coquelin, who has impressed this seasonwhen called upon.
Up front I’ve gone for pace and a target man in Olivier Giroud, with supply coming in from Walcott and Lukas Podolski, though I have a strange feeling Wenger may choose to start with Ramsey should he decide to control the game more and not hit Spurs head on
This is of course how I would like to see Wenger play it, though I think he may have other ideas.
So, who do you guys reckon should start for us tomorrow afternoon against Spurs?
Give us your thoughts on the matter below
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I would hope that is the team but reading about travel, form, knocks and injuries the only four sure to start are the three centre backs and Podolski. Last week I saw their players pull out of the England squad and thought they will all be fit for Saturday and of course they are, while our best player only gets back from Panama on Thursday night!
Szczesny
Jenkinson – Mertesacker – Koscielny – Sagna
Arteta – Wilshere
Cazorla
Walcott – Chamberlain
Podolski
I could go with that lineup M.
Some creativity but Wenger can never leave out Verm and Giroud unless they are injured. He may even start Ramsey instead of Walcott
I think Vermillion has shown he is not good enough to play at right back.
Santos is an accident waiting to happen.
So that leaves jenks.
I can see a lot of goals in this game. i’m sorry to say that most of them will be for the spuds.
Our defence is an embarrassment and until wenger builds up the courage to get rid of Kossa and Vermi we’ll always be also rans.
442
————-Szczesny———–
–Sagna—-Mert—-Kos——Verm
——————Arteta——–
———-Cazorla——–Arshavin
–Chamberlain——————-
———Walcott—–Giroud
Gk: Mannone.
Def: Sagna koscielny vermelen Carl.
Midfld: Walcott arteta carzola wilsher chamberlin.
ST: Podolski
If fit Walcott has to start and expose the lumbering Vertonghen who got taken to the cleaners in the 2nd half against Cited last week.. I would go with Conquelin alongside Arteta and play Wilshere further forward. The Ox needs to play on left. Podolski is not giving enough for me. Prediction 2- 4 defeat.
4-1-3-2. Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscieiny, Sagna.
Vermaelen
Carzola Wilshere Arteta
Giroud Podolski
I’ll rather have koscieiny in front of the back four with Mert & Verm in the center of the defence.
4-2-1-3
Szczesny
Jenkinson koscielny vermaelen sagna
Arteta wilshere
Cazorla
Walcott giroud chamberlain
Subs
Mannone mertesacker coquelin ramsey arshavin podolski chamakh
5 3 2. szczesny
Jenkinson koscieiny mertesacker vermaeln santos
Wilshire arteta Carzola
Walcott or giroud podolski
Team of all the walking dead dont make it
Mannone
jenkinson koscielny mertesacker vermaelen santos
Wilshire coquelin ramsey
podolski arshavin