Match Preview: Arsenal vs. Tottenham (Carling Cup)

By: Dan | January 7th, 2008

2007-09-15t141334z_01_kfd108-_rtridsp_3_soccer-england-tottenham-arsenal_19937_sq_medium.jpg After Arsenal’s 2-0 over Burnley in the FA Cup, with easy goals by Eduardo and Bendtner, tomorrow’s game is a further chance for the young guns to prove themselves. The Burnley game was not particularly pleasant - Kolo Toure’s defensive greatness coupled with the class of Eduardo being the only highlights - nor particularly entertaining. Burnley certainly showed their spirit in the game though, and due to Diaby’s and Traore’s abysmal play, generated a few clear chances. Honestly though, the only thing worthy of note was a miss by Eduardo - a sign that he is in fact human. Eduardo is ridiculously cool and collected with his finishing, and based on his face after the miss, he was devastated. In fact, apparently he used to apologize to his Dinamo Zagreb teammates if he hadn’t scored. His nonchalant celebrations and ice-cold composure are refreshing, and his six goals in four games is even better.

And his form will be needed tomorrow in the Carling Cup. Tottenham has the best chance in years to beat us as they might use their first team against our second string. There are two legs, the first played at the Emirates and the second at White Hart Lane, and Tottenham will have the chance to exploit our center backs with their strikers (by far the best part of their team). Honestly, that is the only real worry though, as Tottenham still possesses a pitiful defense and midfield, even with Ledley King back.

We have also rested our first team since our West Ham win. Thus, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mix of first-team and second-team players, or an especially strong bench with (fingers crossed) Robin van Persie finally back. But, the simple fact is that I have absolutely no idea what Wenger is thinking. The Carling Cup is still a showcase for our younger players, but many of them played on Sunday. It’s difficult to say, but I do know I want Adebayor starting. He is a monster against the Spurs, and I would love to see more of his goals.

Thus, my lineup.

—————–Fabianski———————-
–Hoyte–Gallas–Senderos–Clichy——
–Walcott–Diarra–Denilson–Rosicky–
———-Eduardo–Adebayor—————-

Diaby and Traore both had poor games against Burnley, so I replaced them with Clichy and Rosicky. It is an enormously difficult game to guess the lineup for though, but I am confident about the score: 3-1 to the Arsenal (Eduardo brace and Adebayor).

How do you think the North London Derby will go?

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