Premier League clubs have often not taken the Carabao Cup seriously, but when Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur this Wednesday, we expect it to be a feisty affair and given the traditional rivalry between the two North London based clubs, we could be in for a ride at the Emirates.
The two produced a delicious fixture not too long ago in the Premier League where Unai Emery’s men rallied to beat Spurs 4-2 on the day. Pochettino would be looking for revenge and a win in this knockout tie would do their confidence a world of good. We expect both the teams to play with some of their best players given that a semi-finals place is on the line and this could be the best opportunity for both the clubs to earn any silverware this season.
Team News
Arsenal
Hector Bellerin is the latest one to join the injury list for Emery. Konstantinos Mavropanos, Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck and Emile Smith Towe are sure to miss out from this tie. It could be touch and go with Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac who are both out with a thigh strain. They are likely to go through a fitness test before the match.
Tottenham Hotspur
Eric Dier is out after he went through an appendix surgery. Mousa Dembele is once again set to miss out like the earlier derby. Jan Vertonghen had a horror game the last time around in the NLD, and he is likely to be out again with an injury. Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen are also set to miss out. It can be touch and go with Juan Foyth, Serge Aurier and Davinson Sanchez.
Predicted lineup
Arsenal
Cech; Maitland Niles, Koscielny, Papastathopoulos, Jenkinson; Ramsey, Elneny, Iwobi, Ozil, Nketiah, Lacazette
Tottenham
Gazzaniga; Davies, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Walker-Peters; Winks, Sissoko, Son, Alli, Moura, Kane
Key Men
Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette has had to share game time with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, but he should have the full game here to make an impact. Arsenal’s defence was at sixes and sevens against Southampton and Emery would hope that the introduction of Sokratis Papastathopoulos in this game would make a significant difference.
Tottenham
Toby Alderweireld will have to marshal the back four, and a good game for him can ensure a tough match for the Arsenal forwards. Further up the pitch, Harry Kane would always be a threat but the pace of Son Heung Min and Lucas Moura can unsettle the Gunners defence.
Odds
Arsenal win: 8/5
Tottenham Win: 30/17
