Let’s be honest with ourselves. Losing to Tottenham is never enjoyable, but this is one instance when I’m willing to let it slide. A third-round League Cup fixture falls several notches short of winning the Community Shield, but if Tottenham want to pin their hopes on winning this one (it’s probably their best bet at silverware this season…), more power to ’em. We have a Prem campaign to resurrect, not to mention a Champions League one, and there’s still the FA Cup to defend.
With Cazorla and Gabriel suspended, and Coquelin joining Wilshere, Welbeck, and Rosický among the injured, we might as well bed in some youngsters. Those I’d most like to see, namely Hayden, Akpom, Zelalem, Crowley, Toral, Silva, and Maitland-Niles, are all loaned out at the moment. It might be interesting to dig just a bit deeper to give someone like Julio Pleguezuelo, who is versatile enough to play across the back line, a chance. With Koscielny or Mertesacker one side of him and Debuchy the other, he should have enough support to feel comfortable. He currently captains the u21s and has impressed thus far. Others who are getting closer to at least training with the first team, if not playing, include Iwobi (F), Bielik (DM), Kamara (DM), and Macey (GK).
With that Cazorla-Coquelin pivot out of commision, could Kamara or Bielik be a more-intriguing option than bringing in Flamini or Arteta? Kamara excites me, and he could rise to the occasion, shielding the back four while Ramsey reprises his preferred box-to-box role. Finding room for one more, Alex Iwobi could start through the middle, as the converted winger scored nine goals in the u21s’ last nine games of the 2014-15 season (including a hat-trick against Stoke, suggesting he knows what to do against despised rivals…). That should about do it, at least to start. Surround them with a few more-experienced players, roll the dice, and see what comes up.
Back to the Prem for a moment, we have to admit that Spurs are in a boat similar to ours. Five goals scored and nine points taken (to our ten), their talismanic striker has failed to score a single goal. However, we have bigger fish to fry than this one, and if they want to make a meal out of this, who are we to stop them? If they do find a way to win, they can thump their chests and bleat all they want about what color North London is, but when the dust settles, the fundamental truth will remain unchanged.
LAST THREE
- Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal (07.02.2015)
- Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham (27.09.2014)
- Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal (16.03.2014)
FACTFILE
- The last time the two clubs met in the League Cup, it was also the third round–a 1-4 win to Arsenal.
- We’ve met each other in the League Cup eight times, with Arsenal winning four, losing two, and drawing two.
- Most if not all Spuds are secretly Gooners.
INJURIES
- Coquelin joining Wilshere, Welbeck, and Rosický are all injured; Cazorla and Gabriel are serving bans.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
- Ospina, Gibbs, Koscielny, Pleguezuelo, Debuchy; Kamara, Ramsey; Campbell, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott; Iwobi.
PREDICTION
- It will be interesting to see just how hard Tottenham pushes to win this one, reading it as a North London Derby. Even if we do go ahead with an XI sprinkled with youth, I still see us pushing through to the next round
- Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
I was going to reply to this piece of drivel but you put it so well there was no point. Spot on.
This is the 3rd goon artical I have read that seems to feel the need to prepare the goon community for a loss. Bit scared are we? Whatever your view on Spurs one fact is clear since deciding to build a new stadium your club has dropped in the league and spent fortunes to maintain a top four place with which you have done nothing but put the 4th CL place at risk because you don't do well enough in Europe.With a wage bill such as yours your manager should of taken your club way beyond your current status but instead the rest of the league have closed the gap and you spend the season hoping for fourth when you should be fighting for top spot.Win loose or draw both teams have bigger fish to fry but only one is on the up and it's not the one spending £200m a year on its squad.
Ha ha ha what a pathetic article. If Spurs do win are you lot gonna start another petition to get the ref banned?
Hilarious, they talk about bigger fish to fry? they have as much chance as winning the champions league as spurs do, and yes I know spurs are not even in it, that's my point ! And the premier league ? do me a favor, like everyone bar chelsea and city, they are just making up the numbers.A little reality check you goons, the invincible's and your delusion that you are up there at Europe's top table was over 10 years ago.It is a north London derby, its as important to us as it is to you, you are going to lose and no writing of silly articles claiming it wont bother you wont wash. laughable, I can smell the fear COYS
Umm didn't you chase us to North London and then manage to bribe someone to gain the then Division one in our won place without AFC ever winning the right to be there? Of course I am just being honest as you were with your “artical” reference as your sneering reply just showed exactly what I posted below: grow up and stop behaving like the pathetic little children you are. If you want to sneer here is one: AFC have the record for an English club in the number of failed attempts to win the CL. Pathetic isn't it? But that is what happens when kiddies play.