Hassan Chamas

What: English Premier League
Who: Arsenal (3rd) versus Tottenham Hotspur (4th)
When: Saturday 31st October, 2009
Where: Ashburton Grove, London, England


It’s good to be back

Even though it’s only the Carling Cup, Arsenal will be savouring the taste of a win after the game against Liverpool. Arsene Wenger fielded a side that mostly consisted of youth-teamers and fringe players, but that proved to be sufficient as a Fran Merida wonder strike and a Nicolas Bendtner goal sent the Gunners into the quarter-final of the League Cup.

Putting this Mickey Mouse cup moment aside, Arsenal will have to get their minds quickly back on Premier League football as they prepare to welcome Tottenham in the most anticipated all London clash. Wenger’s team will be eager not to repeat the same mistakes that cost them against West Ham last weekend, as what seemed to be a 2-0 victory over the Hammers swiftly turned into a spoil-sharing result.


Finally top-four?

Ten rounds later and it appears as if finally Spurs are growing towards becoming top-four material. After a shaky start to their season, Tottenham are finding themselves in an encouraging spot. While their last defeat against Stoke City might have caused a setback, they have generally been on a good run lately, with their only other defeats being at the hands of Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United.

One of the North London club’s best performers has been Jermain Defoe, who is having a successful fourth spell under Harry Redknapp, after previously working together at West Ham, Tottenham, and Portsmouth. Losing the small striker in this fixture due to suspension is indeed a blow, but against bitter cross-town rivals Arsenal, the Lilywhites will give it their all as they look to take a step closer towards the top of the table.

Recent form

Arsenal:
AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Arsenal (Champions League)
West Ham United 2-2 Arsenal (Premier League)
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (Carling Cup)

Tottenham:
Portsmouth 1-2 Tottenham (Premier League)
Tottenham 0-1 Stoke City (Premier League)
Tottenham 2-0 Everton (Carling Cup)


Players to watch

Arsenal – Samir Nasri: The Frenchman looked fresh as he made his comeback following a broken leg this past summer. Even though Nasri certainly lacked match sharpness against Liverpool, he nonetheless did manage a respectful display. More to come from him in the following weeks.

Tottenham – Robbie Keane: The team captain will be looking to take matters into his own hands after a decent display in the midweek Carling Cup bout with Everton. With Spurs suffering notable absences, the former Inter man will be expected to lead by example against Tottenham’s much disdained enemies.


Match prediction 
 
Emotions will be running high as Arsenal and Tottenham each look to come up with all three points and claim third place as their own. Arsenal will be without a number of key players including the ever-injured Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, and that will be an extra incentive for the likes of Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch (should he play) to come up with an important victory at the Grove.

However, Arsene Wenger’s men have not lost at home so far in the league this season, and should Thomas Vermaelen and company be alert on Saturday, things will prove to be very difficult for Spurs. Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham.

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