please log in to view this image Sunday 16th January 4.30pm Premier League Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Three pathetic cup performances and the vague suggestion this may get called off. Great. Son, Romero, Bergwijn, Dier and Reguilon missed the midweek game. One or two may return for this. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Royal, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Reguilon; Moura, Kane, Son. Subs: Gollini, Doherty, Rodon, Tanganga, Winks, Lo Celso, Ndombele, Alli, Gil. League form: WWDWDW. Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette. Subs: Leno, Soares, Holding, Tavares, Elneny, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Smith-Rowe, Pepe. League form: LWWWWL. Ref: Chris Kavanagh. VAR: John Brooks. TV: Sky Sports. How would you like to line up for this one?
Definitely missing, with Saka and presumably Soares doubtful Arsenal: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette. Subs: Leno, Soares, Holding, Tavares, Elneny, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Smith-Rowe, Pepe. Elneny Aubamayang
We've got one covid case that needs to be checked, apparently. Dier isn't fit enough to play, but Bergwijn will be on the bench, despite not being 100%. Arsenal are in discussions with the Premier League about the status of the match.
My personal view is that this getting out of hand now, or certainly getting close to it. Last night for example, I heard Klipperty asking why they were drawn away first leg, yet now playing at home first. The answer is straightforward, he stretched/bent the situation and if the PL are not careful, many more will surely follow.
It does seem to be a bit of a farce. Clubs have youth teams etc. Obviously cases happen there too, as did to us during our Covid outbreak, but if the club can field the minimum number of players over 18 across GKs and outfield players then why can’t the game be played?
On one hand I'll be furious if this is granted given we had to play Wolves with 7 Covid cases but on the flip side teams have a right to try their luck with the system in the same way Burnley, Liverpool and United did to get postponements.
We're less than 48 hours away from KO - I'd be shocked if the PL accommodated Arsenal's application. Sky have more influence than people realise and I can't imagine they will let one of their flagship games go in a primetime slot. As it's a high cat fixture Met Police would surely have a say as well.
So teams are using the AFCON absences as well as football related injuries to get games called off when the actual covid impact is minimal
Which is why the easiest solution is to play the game IMO. I don't even think it's in Arsenal's best interests to get the game postponed. They face a Tottenham team that is without Son who usually rips them apart.
My sympathies. We (Saints) had the same issue with Newcastle. Most of their absences were injuries so don't be surprised if the game is called off. It's an absolute joke TBH.
Seems so. IMO it surely can’t be difficult to take the Covid cases out of the picture when it comes to assessing these things.
They might delay West Ham v Leeds by a couple of hours, if it does get called off. Gives them another opportunity to show this match and they still have a game for that slot.
It is bizarre that Arsenal can for example consider a red card suspension and ACCON absentees as a contributing factor in asking for a postponement. That's totally on them and the decision should be limited to COVID cases. If they cannot put out a side to meet the PL requirements then they should forfeit the points.
