Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s away clash with Arsenal, each team’s UAE Supporters Clubs preview the game for Sport360, including predicting the likely XIs and picking their players to watch.
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Richard D’cruze, ARSENAL UAE
After a horrendous Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, Arsenal need to pick themselves up on Sunday. This isn’t just any regular Premier League match, though, it’s the North London derby against fiercest rivals Tottenham at the Emirates.
Spurs have picked themselves up since their opening day loss to Manchester United, going undefeated in eight matches – hammering Manchester City, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in the process. There’s no question that this match is going to be a tough one.
Sitting joint-top of the league, trailing Manchester City on goal difference, a win is definitely needed – a) because we cannot afford to lost momentum for the title race; b) if City lose points against Aston Villa, we’ll go on top; c) it’s always a joy to beat Tottenham.
Arsenal’s injury list is ever-growing with nine first team players in the treatment room. Hector Bellerin won’t be back until after the international break after crashing into the post against Swansea.
The same goes for Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta. Laurent Koscielny might be the only one from the injured lot to feature, though Arsene Wenger may want to let him rest so he can be fit after the international break.
Joel Campbell did exceptionally well for someone playing his first ever Champions League match against Bayern; after scoring his first goal against Swansea last week, expect him to cause some trouble to the Spurs defence.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham
LIKELY ARSENAL LINE-UP: Cech, Debuchy, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Sanchez, Ozil, Campbell, Giroud
ARSENAL PLAYER TO WATCH: Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has scored in two of the last three Premier League derbies at the Emirates Stadium and, more significantly, has seven goals in as many games for club and country.
TOTTENHAM PLAYER TO WATCH: Harry Kane – He’s rediscovered his goalscoring touch with five in his last three games, notably a hat-rick against Bournemouth. Arsenal need to starve him of service, much of which comes their creative hub, Christian Eriksen.
FAVOURITE ARSENAL-TOTTENHAM MEMORY: November 16, 2002 – Despite scoring once in his previous seven matches, Thierry Henry exploded into life, scoring one of the finest goals ever seen at Highbury. Picking up the ball inside Arsenal’s own half in a sweeping counter-attack, the Frenchman sprinted the length of the pitch going past Tottenham’s defence, to finish neatly past Kasey Keller. The famous knee-slide celebration in front of the Tottenham fans is now immortalised as a statue outside the Emirates Stadium.
WHERE TO WATCH: Arsenal UAE’s Dubai branch gathers at Velocity Bar JW Marquis in Business Bay. For Gooners in the capital, the Arsenal UAE Abu Dhabi chapter gather at Harvester’s in Holiday Inn Downtown.
TWITTER: @AFCUAE
FACEBOOK: Arsenal UAE
For more information on how to become an Arsenal UAE member contact: info@arsenaluae.com
Raad Jaboori Al-Shaikh, SPURS UAE
This is simply one of the biggest games of the season. It is the one that the supporters always look forward to with excitement and trepidation in equal measure.
My own earliest memory of the fixture goes back to 1985 when Garth Crooks and Mark Falco’s goals helped Spurs win at Highbury on New Year’s Day after Tony Woodcock put the Gunners ahead.
Tottenham outplayed their hosts and went on to finish third in the First Division behind champions Everton and runners-up Liverpool, while Arsenal ended up in seventh.
Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, behind Manchester City on goal difference, and are being considered as title contenders. However, Spurs have been making real progress and quietly climbing up the table.
Spurs are currently enjoying a 10-game unbeaten run, built on a solid defence as well as the goals of Harry Kane and Co.
North London derbies are notoriously difficult to predict. They are ferocious affairs played in a highly charged atmosphere and form usually goes out of the window. One moment of magic or one mistake can decide the outcome.
With Arsenal being higher in the table and playing at home, they will be seen a favourites for this match. However, there may be one or two surprises to come.
PREDICTION: Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
LIKELY XI: Lloris; Walker, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Rose; Dier, Alli; Dembele, Eriksen, Lamela, Kane.
TOTTENHAM PLAYER TO WATCH: Harry Kane. Epitomises the current Spurs squad of young home grown players who totally appreciate what this fixture is all about. He scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Arsenal last season.
ARSENAL PLAYER TO FEAR: Alexis Sanchez. Arsenal’s best player last season and so far this term too. Alexis scores and creates a large percentage of their goals and always brings others into play.
FAVOURITE SPURS-ARSENAL MOMENT: Paul Gascoigne scoring a fantastic free kick in Spurs’ 3-1 win over Arsenal at Wembley in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final.
WHERE TO WATCH: Icon Bar (home of the official UAE Spurs Supporters’ Club), Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City: https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-mediacitydubai/restaurants
FACEBOOK: For all Spurs supporters in the UAE, please send a facebook friend request to Raad Jaboori Al-Shaikh to be added to the UAE Spurs facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/uaespurs/ (Official link: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/supporters-clubs/uae-spurs/)