A win at White Hart Lane, although very unlikely, will definitely change the course of the season for the struggling Arsenal side. The Gunners don’t have an encouraging record against their arch rivals as the Lilywhites are unbeaten in each of their last five league games against them. Hence, Arsenal will have to break the trend if they are aiming for a top four spot.
Defence
Petr Cech will take his position under the bar. The experienced goalie has started showing signs of depreciation with decreased reflexes and Wenger would hope he doesn’t bottle things up in this fixture.
With the three-man defence being so successful and most importantly, providing an assuring protection to the defence, we expect the French manager to stick with it in such a crucial fixture. Laurent Koscielny is a huge doubt for the game after he landed awkwardly in the last stages of the game against Leicester City that has hurt his knee bad.
And with the skipper and the centre-most defender out from the squad, Wenger will have difficulties replacing him for sure. The side’s other good defender, Shkodran Mustafi, is also a doubt for the game with a hamstring problem.
We expect the young Rob Holding to get another chance in the central defence alongside Gabriel Paulista and Nacho Monreal. Paulista and Monreal have been in terrific form of late and knowing how tremendous the pressure will be at White Hart Lane, they have to up their game.
Midfield
Arsene Wenger had opted to rest Aaron Ramsey in the last game and opt for Francis Coquelin alongside Granit Xhaka in the central midfield. While the Wales midfielder is really good at creating chances up front, he has been disastrous defensively. And Tottenham’s scoring prowess at their backyard is phenomenal with hardly any team being spared.
We expect Wenger to start with the Frenchman in the middle to be more safe defence wise. Xhaka has been at his best of late and has provided some of the most exquisite long passes from deep midfield. The wingbacks are expected to feature Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs. Chamberlain will be the centre of attraction after his vibrant displays on the right flank.
Attack
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will start as the playmakers in the attacking third. There are 26 goals and 17 assists between the duo and they will hope to cause problems for Spurs’ organised defence.
The attack should be spearheaded by Olivier Giroud. With Kieran Gibbs and Chamberlain available to put in crosses repeatedly, Arsenal will have to place their bet on the towering forward to put one in.
