18 Yard Box has a look at the clash of the week as the Gunners go to the Spurs' den in search of a top 4 place.
The stage is set for the North London derby as Tottenham gear up to face Arsenal in their own backyard. Stakes are high for this match as both the managers, Andres Vilas Boas and Arsene Wenger, look forward to come away with the top prize-3 valuable points .Come Sunday the 3rd,the whole world would witness a spectacle as both sets of classy individuals get ready to prove their mettle and guide their team home.
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| Whackk.com |
The stage is set for the North London derby as Tottenham gear up to face Arsenal in their own backyard. Stakes are high for this match as both the managers, Andres Vilas Boas and Arsene Wenger, look forward to come away with the top prize-3 valuable points .Come Sunday the 3rd,the whole world would witness a spectacle as both sets of classy individuals get ready to prove their mettle and guide their team home.
18 Yard Box's trio, Rishav Ghosh, Rishabh Ghai and Aman Arora have a look at the tie.
Tottenham
Hotspurs
Sitting at the 3rd position in
the Premier League, 2 points clear of 4th position Chelsea and
having made it to the Round of 16 in the Europa League knocking Olympique Lyon
out of the competition, its been a bright season for Andres Vilas Boas and co.
Having made good progress from the position Harry Redknapp left them in,
Tottenham stand a golden chance to play in Europe’s elite division, the Champions
League. Having already lost out on the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, Vilas Boas’
realistic targets would be to secure the automatic Champions League
qualification spot.
Strengths
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| Let the beast inside him unleash |
Gareth Bale running down the left flank, Aaron
Lennon tearing down the right flank and their clever link-ups with Dembele and
Adebayor might be just enough to bring down any defence any given day. Bale, who
being hailed as the next ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ is enjoying the form of his life, scoring
at will from free-kicks .His tremendous pace, crossing, passing, shooting and
trickery with the ball at his feet has felled many a defence and Arsenal might
not be an exception to that trend. Lennon has been very influential down the
right flank as well, keeping the crosses coming in for Adebayor and Defoe to
head home. Addition of Assou-Ekoto to the starting line-up would prove to be a
big boost for Tottenham with Bale getting ample assistance from the left. Moreover,
newbies Vertonghen and Siggurdson has gelled well into the team and they might
be an influence in the game.
The presence of Parker and Dembele in the
midfield has added steel to Tottenham’s central pairing. To add to this, the acquisition
of Lewis Holtby from Schalke 04 gives Tottenham the man they missed since the
departure of Modric. Holtby has gelled well and has become a central figure,
helping the likes of Demebele to link up with Adebayor or Defoe.
Weaknesses
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| The duo have been pretty poor |
If Tottenham wins the plot through their
attack, defence has always been their Achilles’ heel. 10 goals conceded in the
previous 2 encounters are proof to the fact. Caulker, Walker and Vertonghen are
inexperienced and Dawson has not been that much convincing this season, commiting
to silly tackles in dangerous places. Injury is a major setback for Tottenham
as well. Jermain Defoe’s availability is a big question mark ahead of this
prime encounter.
To add to this, Tottenham will be nervous
going into this encounter as they memories of last year’s derby would still be
fresh in their mind. A loss could create a huge dent in their confidence and
they could end up just like last year.
Tactical
Approach
Andres Vilas Boas would to looking to play
a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 formation against Arsenal ,depending on player availability.
If AvB were to play the same team that played against West Ham United in
midweek, then a 4-4-1-1 is on the cards with Holtby/Sigurdsson/Dempsey playing
just behind the main striker with Bale and Lennon playing on the left and right
flanks respectively. However the dilemma that remains is the main striking role
and the left-back role. Assou-Ekotto has been a prized asset for Tottenham but
hasn’t been impressive this season losing his place to Vertonghen. Dawson
hasn’t been impressive and he may have to give way to Gallas in the central
defending role. As far as striking role is concerned, Defoe and Adebayor would
be the primary options and choosing any one of these star strikers would be
difficult for any manager.
Tottenham play in a way exactly opposite to
that of their rivals. Where Arsenal love to cut open teams from the middle, the
White Hart Laners use the flanks well. This is purely because they have missed
the class of Modric in the middle. However, Holtby’s addition could give them a
dual advantage, causing them to attack from the middle as well.
Bale would be instrumental as he would be
allowed to rome freely but primarily on the left. His pace alongwith his
shooting abilities are something Arsenal need to be weary of.
Arsenal
Arsenal, a team that has lost key players
every season since the 2005 FA Cup victory, has still made it to the top 4 of
the league ever since, are in grave danger of losing that this year. Currently
lingering in the 5th position, Arsenal have sorely missed the Robin
Van Persie and Alex Song this season. 4 points below the automatic Champions
League qualification spot and 2 points clear of the top 4, Arsene Wenger’s
targets would be to finish would be to finish in the top 4 and secure their
Europe trip next season.
Strengths
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| The duo have sparkled life into the Arsenal mdifield |
One of the biggest strengths of Arsenal
that might unfold any defence is their Total Football style of play. Intricate
passing, quick movements and chance creation is what Arsenal does best. With quality
midfielders like Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta in their side,
stability in the midfield is not a concern for Arsene Wenger. Walcott has been
a hit this season scoring 11 goals and assisting another 8 ever since signing a
new contract with Arsenal. Santi Cazorla has been a major influence to Arsenal
this season and is responsible for a majority of Arsenal’s goals this season. His brilliance in the North London Derby
could be the defining moment of the game, if not the season. Impetus would also
be on Olivier Giroud who has been good this season with this finishing and
quality headers past keepers.
Arsenal’s latest acquisition, Nacho
Monreal, has fit in perfectly in the left back area and has added great
stability. For once Arsenal looks secure down their left.
Weaknesses
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| Arsenal might miss out on both their powerhouses |
If defence is Tottenham’s shortcomings then
so is Arsenal’s. Known for their attacking prowess, quick counter-attacking
play, Arsenal faces major problems defending against teams like Tottenham. Sloppy
work at the back from Vermaelan, Koscielny and Mertesacker has led to too manu
goals this season. Moreover, Per Mertesacker’s could spell danger against a
pacey Tottenham side. Injury has been a major problem for Arsenal as well.
Having lost out on Kieran Gibbs and Abou Diaby, more bad news followed as
Bacary Sagna was ruled out of the tie as well.
Tactical
Approach
Arsene Wenger would be looking to employ
the 4-3-2-1 formation against Tottenham. Many injury problems might limit
Wenger’s first team selection and the 4-3-2-1 formation seems to be the most
valid combination if he were to accommodate the fit players in the starting 11.
Giroud would be at the tip of the
attacking trio with Podolski on the left and Walcott on the right. The midfield
would most likely be Arteta, Wilshere and Cazorla. However,the problem arises
at the back. Nacho Monreal will start at the left-back position with Vermalean
and Koscielny as the centre-backs and Jenkinson to play right back.
If Diaby passes the late fitness test,
Wenger would be tempted to throw him in the middle causing Cazorla to go left
thereby pushing Wilshere in a more advanced role. This could cause Podolski to
lose his place. With Koscielny in the centre, Arsenal would certainly have the
pace to deal with the likes of Bale and Lennon however, not the height to cope
up with that of Adebayor.
Arsenal would most likely benefit from the
right with Jenkinson and Walcot, both, bombing forward and creating plenty of
aerial opportunities for Giroud. If Podolski plays on the left, his link up
play with Cazorla/ Wilshere, might be the key to unlock the Tottenham defence.
Key Battles on the pitch
1. Gareth Bale v/s Carl Jenkinson
With Gareth Bale the man of the moment, Arsenal are going to have a tough time tonight visiting Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Bale, having scored 15 goals this season in 24 League games, is certainly on the top of his game and will be rearing to beat Arsenal tonight.
They haven’t finished above Arsenal since Arsene Wenger’s arrival back in 1996 and Bale will be crucial to changing that stat for Spurs. His pace and dribbling ability down the left will torment Jenkinson as he will look to cause damage to Arsenal’s stuttering backline. His ability to cut inside and have a shot on goal is well documented and the Gunner’s back four will need to keep him in their pockets if they are to get anything out of this game. His fabulous free-kicks will are also to be watched out for by the Gunner’s defense being cautious enough to avoid giving away set pieces near the area.
Jenkinson will have to be extremely careful of Bale's movement. The young English full back has the pace but needs to be careful of not committing too many fouls that might cause him to get sent off. All in all Bale has the upper hand in this one.
2. Scott Parker v/s Jack Wilshere
With Gareth Bale the man of the moment, Arsenal are going to have a tough time tonight visiting Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Bale, having scored 15 goals this season in 24 League games, is certainly on the top of his game and will be rearing to beat Arsenal tonight.
They haven’t finished above Arsenal since Arsene Wenger’s arrival back in 1996 and Bale will be crucial to changing that stat for Spurs. His pace and dribbling ability down the left will torment Jenkinson as he will look to cause damage to Arsenal’s stuttering backline. His ability to cut inside and have a shot on goal is well documented and the Gunner’s back four will need to keep him in their pockets if they are to get anything out of this game. His fabulous free-kicks will are also to be watched out for by the Gunner’s defense being cautious enough to avoid giving away set pieces near the area.
Jenkinson will have to be extremely careful of Bale's movement. The young English full back has the pace but needs to be careful of not committing too many fouls that might cause him to get sent off. All in all Bale has the upper hand in this one.
2. Scott Parker v/s Jack Wilshere
The two Englishmen will collide against
each other in clash of an experienced head v/s a passionate one. Parker, who
has not had much of the limelight ever since his arrival, has been critical for
the Spurs. His skills of keeping the ball and spraying out passes for his team
mates to attack, makes him the crux of Tottenham’s attacks. However, he faces
Arsenal’s number 10.
Jack Wilshere has always been an ‘Arsenal
boy’. Having signed a new 5 year deal at the start of the season, Wilshere
looks to stay in the Arsenal colours for a long time to come. His ‘burst’ of
pace and skills on the ball have come under notice of many top European teams.
The Arsenal anchorman should start favourite to bag this clash as his young
legs and a sharp mind could cause Parker trouble.
The Final
Verdict
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| Who will be the tactical maestro? |
Its a tough choice to pick the winner out
of either of these teams but going by statistics, its Arsenal’s game to win. Having
head-to-head ratio in their favour, Arsenal might edge past Tottenham but going
by current form, the ball is in Tottenham’s court. Having won against London
rivals West Ham United earlier this week, AvB would be looking for 3 points
from this derby and avoid further slip-ups to secure a Champions League berth
next year.
At the end of the day, the game could be
won on the fact as to whose defence is the best. A 2-1 win for Tottenham looks
more likely although a 2-2 draw would be the perfect result.
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| Pyramid Labs |
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai, Aman Arora and Rishav Ghosh
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International, AIS and Writer and editor at 18 Yard Box.
Aman is a writer for Goal.com India, GMF and a writer and editor at 18 Yard Box.
Rishav is a writer for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
