The Premier League awaits a mouth-watering clash this weekend as North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal come face to face for a Premier League fixture. The eagerly awaited contest has produced pulsating matches in the past and if history is an indicator, things will not be any different this time.
Of the many clubs envious of Tottenham Hotspur’s growth in the past few seasons, none has been more unaccepting than their local rivals Arsenal. A shift in dominance is in progress with Tottenham on the rise and the Gunners on the decline.
The Gunners have enjoyed a monopoly in the group stage of Europa League but their record in the league has been far from perfect. Arsenal have won three of their four matches and drew against Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates in their last Europa outing.
Unlike the domestic league, where Wenger’s men are having to endure yet another tough campaign, things have been comparatively easy for them in the Europa League.
Wenger’s team lost last time out in the league when they faced table-toppers Manchester City and Wenger blamed the defeat more on the substandard level of referring than his team’s inability to perform in the first half.
If Wenger and his men, who are sixth in the current table and twelve points off the pace, want to challenge for the title, they have to target for all 3 points on the weekend.
Here is how they will look to line up against Tottenham Hotspur for the weekend match.
Predicted Line-Up: 3-4-3
Defence
Petr Cech is expected in goal for the Gunners. The three-man defence is likely to be what it was last time out against City with Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal on either side of Francis Coquelin. Sead Kolasinac is expected to be the tank on the left wing-back while Bellerin is expected to bombard down the right-hand side from his right wing back position.
Midfield
Fears of Aaron Ramsey being injured have been eased after the Welshman picked up a knock while on international duty. He is expected to be one of the two central midfielders alongside Swiss player Granit Xhaka who is coming off a very happy international break after qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Attack
The influential Alexis Sanchez will hold the key to all of Arsenal’s attacks from the left wing position with Mesut Ozil on the right flank operating as the chief playmaker for the team. Alexandre Lacazette who was left on the bench last time out will most probably be restored to the starting eleven as the furthest man up the pitch for Arsenal.
