please log in to view this image Sunday 6th November 12pm Premier League The Emirates Six games since the international break and not a single win. Not good form going into the derby. Our seventh game sees our seventh different venue, as we travel the short distance to the Emirates. A dire midweek performance doesn't bode well, so let's hope for a lot better this weekend. Arsenal's form has been starkly different in that period. They've had five wins and a draw, with their only disappointment coming against Boro at home. It was a poor game and a stale showing from them, but they managed to avoid a defeat. Only three points separate the teams at the moment and another international break looms. If there is to be a loser, then they'll have a couple of long weeks to contemplate the result. England's unspectacular displays will not be much of a distraction either, judging by recent evidence. This fixture was on the same weekend last season, with the date only differing by two days. The home side started slowly and hadn't troubled our goal by the time that we took the lead. Harry Kane scored just after the half hour, as we deservedly went ahead. Other chances were wasted and the unlikely figure of Kieran Gibbs nicked an equaliser. The reverse fixture was a similarly frustrating draw, as we threw away a lead against ten men. Aaron Ramsey put them into a surprising lead in the first half, as we'd been much the better side. The second half saw things turn on their head dramatically though, as the game switched in less than ten minutes. Coquelin picked up a stupid second yellow before Alderweireld and Kane took us level, then ahead. Poor defending and goalkeeping allowed Sanchez to steal a point though, unfortunately. Sissoko misses out through suspension, though he probably would've been dropped, anyway. Alderweireld, Davies and Lamela are all injured and Dembele is a doubt, but Kane's available. Arsenal have no suspensions, as Xhaka returns following his three-match ban. Welbeck, Mertesacker, Akpom and Perez are all injured, while they have a host of players to assess. Gibbs, Bellerin, Monreal, Cazorla and Sanogo are all doubts. Lineups for each team's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertoghen, Rose; Wanyama, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Janssen. Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Davies, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Onomah, N'Koudou. League form: WWWDDD. Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs; Coquelin, Elneny; Oxlade-Chamerlain, Ozil, Iwobi; Sanchez. Subs: Ospina, Jenkinson, Holding, Paulista, Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Giroud. League form: WWWWDW. Referee: Mark ****ing Clattenburg. Given our awful display against Leverkusen, I expect a number of changes. Injuries might limit this. Who deserves to be dropped and who should start? Does anyone need to be left out of the match-day squad entirely? Do we need to do anything different tactically?
Just to add something that might brighten a few days, here's a few goals from old games from our official twitter:
I hate the NLD week. I hate the build up. I hate our players talking about the game I hate the morning of the match I hate the match itself And I ****ing hate losing to them. Apart from all that I can't wait! Oh by the way....I hate the NLD
We may not be in good form at the moment, but the media are also overdoing it about Arsenal. Don't forget two of their wins were with the last kick of the game, and they've had a few other things go in their favour. The match is more even than most would have you believe.
I have always remembered it as being against Arsenal. He was looking like a massive flop for us until we played Luton in 1989 or 90. We were a goal down and had 2 players sent off and he had to play in midfield instead of as a striker. We won 2 -1 and I think he got both...and he stayed in midfield after that. I am sure that the floodlights failed in that match too! If I have got all that wrong feel free to leave an old git feeling confused
Nearly all of that is spot on! Floodlight failure was a couple of years later, losing 1-0 when the lights went off and won 4-1 in the end I think! On his debut We had just got back to 2-2 with a few minutes remaining and got the penalty. Fenwick took the ball then Stewart grabbed it and smashed it against the bar! Stewart was a poor striker but a cracking midfielder for us!
Injuries and suspensions are really racking up now and in a way, The international break couldnt come soon enough after a horrendous run of dropped points. We urgently need to regroup and go again. I doubt Kane will be fit enough to start, although the mere sight of him on the bench should give Arsenal plenty to think about and will give us a bit of a boost. Given the players missing, I'd go all out and attack and screw the consequences - Arsenal are much improved at the back but still don't like being put under pressure. That said, I'd go with: Hugo Walker Dier Jan Rose Wanyama Son Alli Eriksen GKN Soldado Although tbh I have a feeling we may well see Winks make his first PL start of Dembele is out and we'll see: Wanyama Winks Son Alli Eriksen Soldado In any event, I've moved all sharp objects away from the vicinity of the living room and have warned the family that they might not be able to talk to me from 14.00 tomorrow until further notice.
So here it is ladies and gents, the eve of the first NLD of the season. Form says we're going to be disappointed tomorrow but as well all know form counts for nothing in this match. We've had a massive boost knowing Harry will be in the squad, at first I was thinking to start him from the bench but I reckon he can play 60 minutes at least and so I'd rather he does that. He has a knack of scoring against this lot and by God have we been crying out for goals of late. I'm hoping Dembele is OK to play, if not I'd throw Winks in at the deep end, it's not actually worked out badly in the past when we've done similar, both O'Hara and Mason put in great performances when thrown in. Eriksen needs a massive rocket up his arse and being dropped to the bench for the NLD should do that, come on at 65-70 minutes and set up our winner to get you back on form, lad. Lloris Walker, Dier, Jan, Rose Wanyama, Dembele Son, Alli, GKN Kane Vorm, Tripps, Kev, Eriksen, Winks, Onomah, Janssen COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My first trip to the Emirates. Oh dear. My neighbour is a gooner season ticket holder- he drives and parks nearby BUT I am not going with him. I would consider a 4-4-2 line up or alternatively if we are going to throw someone in at the deep end, how about CCV and play a two of Wanyama and Dier. Kane to start. Need that affect at the begining to give the others a bit of a confidence boost. What's the point bringing him on after 60 minutes when we are already 4-0 down?
If Kane starts, so should Eriksen. Yes, he's been out of form, but this could be the lift that Eriksen really needs to play his best. He might have been woeful recently, but he'a still a class player on his day. For me, Son has returned to the player we saw last season and will be anonymous today, I reckon. I just can't see him getting into the game and causing a threat amongst arsenals defence. GKN would be a better option IMO, even if it's a bold move, as his pace will give something for Arsenal to think about. - especially when they attack knowing the pace we'd have on the counter. I'm not saying we should necessarily start him, but that he's just a better option than Son today, IMO. My XI would be Hugo Walker Dier Vertonghen Rose Wanyama Winks Alli Dembele Eriksen Kane Alternatively, Dembele in winks' position, and GKN in the 3.
I'm more worried about Toby missing than anything else. The attacking 3 need to turn up or we are bust.
