Anticipation abounds as we prepare for what could be the biggest North London derby in years.
High-flying Tottenham will fancy their chances at home against an Arsenal side that seems to have lost their way after succumbing to two Barcelona in their Champions League first-leg 0-2 loss at the Emirates going on to lose the following two Premier League matches against Manchester United and Swansea.
While many fans may feel the team has blown any chance they may have had of winning the Premier League title, let us remind you that the Gunners are still only six points behind league leaders Leicester City and only two points behind second place Tottenham knowing that a win this afternoon at White Hart Lane would see them move to level second with their most bitter rivals.
Fans can only hope that the latest ring of results was in fact because at the back of every Arsenal players mind was the thought of this afternoon’s game and how a win would be necessary if Arsene Wenger’s team were to have any hope of winning the league for the first time since 2004.
Team News
Unfortunately for Arsenal the team will be without veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech after the 33-year-old shot-stopper suffered a calf injury during the 2-1 loss to Swansea midweek, which means that Colombian international David Ospina will be called upon for his first Premier League start this season.
As if that new was not bad enough, Wenger also revealed that the team would be without its best centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who is set to miss the clubs next two games with a calf strain, which means Wenger will pair Gabriel and Mertesacker at the back.
Long-term absentees Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere are also unavailable for this afternoon’s big match.
Have a look at our line-up below and see if you agree with our selection for what is arguably now the Gunners biggest game of the season.
Predicted XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Monreal; Coquelin, Ramsey; Campbell, Ozil, Sanchez; Welbeck.
