What: English Premier League
Who: Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
When: Sunday 16th March 2014, at 16:00 UK Time
Where: White Hart Lane, London, England

Tim Sherwood Under Fire

Tottenham will be hoping that this weekend’s north London derby against Arsenal can swing their season back into positive mode. Tim Sherwood’s side have endured a difficult week in the Premier League and in Europe with losses to Chelsea and Benfica. Though there were murmurs before, the first real questions are now being asked of Sherwood’s reign. Sensing that there is no improvement since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas, Spurs’ supporters are getting restless.

The highly coveted fourth place and ensuing Champions League berth seems unlikely at this point with Tottenham having fallen well behind their nearest competitors. Matters in Europe are not better. Though the club put together a good comeback to see off Dnipro in the last round of the Europa League, their last 16 first leg match against Benfica on Thursday saw Spurs comprehensively beaten. Sherwood did not look for excuses and called it as he saw it.

"I think you have to say we were beaten by a better side", said Sherwood. "I have no problem with anyone's desire in this game. Everyone tried, everyone is tired, there was a lot of effort and a lot of huff and puff, but not enough quality.”

Sherwood did go on to suggest that the north London derby could be a way for Spurs to get their season back on track however. "You lose confidence when you lose games, but you have to dig deep and find confidence from somewhere. There's no way better to do that than in a north London derby against Arsenal."

Focus On Domestic Front

Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich was not enough to keep the Gunners from crashing out of Europe for the second consecutive season to the German side. Though that draw might seem like a decent result, the truth is that many supporters were hoping for a little more ambition from their side in that second leg having gone down 2-0 at home. Some called Arsenal’s display brave, many others found it too tepid of a performance, a lack of risk-taking leading to elimination from the Champions League.

Now the focus has shifted to the domestic front where Arsene Wenger’s side must try to win the league and FA Cup. The latter seems like the best route to success, the best bet for ending eight seasons without a trophy. Still, the league has not been ruled out and with many of the top sides playing each other in the run-in, Arsenal can’t yet be written off.

A large injury list could still derail their plans, but midfielder Mikel Arteta believes winning a trophy this season would be a massive feat for his side. "I think it would be a turning point for the club, because [for] such a long time we don't win anything. It gives you a lift, gives you belief that you can start to go in the right direction and hopefully we can do it", Arteta said.

"We have a great chance, [but] there is still a month to go and some really tough games coming up. We have to recover, we have two massive games away from home. Tottenham and Chelsea", the Spaniard added.
 

mobile ad

Recent form

Tottenham Hotspur:
Tottenham 1-0 Cardiff (02/03; Premier League)
Chelsea 4-0 Tottenham (08/03; Premier League)
Tottenham 1-3 Benfica (13/03; Europa League)

Arsenal:
Stoke 1-0 Arsenal (01/03; Premier League)
Arsenal 4-1 Everton (08/03; FA Cup)
Bayern Munich 1-1 Arsenal (11/03; Champions League)

Key absences

Tottenham Hotspur: Michael Dawson; Etienne Capoue; Erik Lamela; Vlad Chiriches; Kyle Walker (doubt)

Arsenal: Mesut Ozil; Aaron Ramsey; Jack Wilshere; Theo Walcott; Abou Diaby; Kieran Gibbs (doubt)

Players to watch

Tottenham Hotspur – Christian Eriksen: The Danish playmaker was on the scoresheet with a terrific free-kick as his side went down to Benfica in Europa League action in midweek. The 22-year-old has been a bright spot in what is turning into a season of disappointment for Spurs. He has shown enough this term to suggest that he could be an integral part of this team for several years. 

Arsenal – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Oxlade-Chamberlain put forth a positive display in the midweek Champions League draw against Bayern Munich. Playing in a central midfield spot, the young Gunner showed versatility and perhaps gave a glimpse of the future in a position he may someday feature regularly in. After overcoming a serious injury which kept him out for five months earlier this season, the former Southampton player is beginning to find his form once again and could be an impact player during this final third of the season.

Match Prediction

Sherwood is beginning to feel real pressure for the first time and has not been shy about calling out his players. From legitimate challengers for a Champions League berth, Tottenham have virtually given up on that target now. Arsenal meanwhile have been knocked out of Europe, but they still have two chances for silverware in the Premier League and FA Cup. The league appears to be slipping away, though a derby win could be a big momentum boost for this season’s final push. As many of these north London derbies are tight affairs, this should be no different, but Arsenal might have the extra belief at the moment to prevail. Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal.

Betting on Tottenham v Arsenal? Make sure you read our betting preview first!
 

mobile ad