Tottenham v. Arsenal Preview: An Eye For an Eye

Missing a Spurs match is something I rarely do. Granted, being halfway around the world games sometimes just don't fit my schedule. But when I checked the ESPN gamecast and saw in the scoring summary: Piquionne (99'), I was floored.

Without having watched the game, I knew exactly what happened.

After what appeared to be days of hammering poor David James, the breakthrough was not going to come. And this has happened before: 1-0 at home to Stoke, 1-0 away, and oh and how could I forget the double 1-0 at home to those nasty Wolves.

Two losses in a row means the supporters are demanding blood, having come this far to bottle it up to the likes of Smug City (Manchester).

On Wednesday it will be a battle royale; the positive for Spurs is that it is on their home turf. A much nicer turf compared to, oh we'll say Wembley?

Something different about this derby looms large overhead though: injuries.

While the class in both sides is clearly undisputed by most, that "class" may come in the form of a benchwarmer.

For Arsenal, their injuries include (in order of importance): Fabregas, William Gallas, Andrei Arshavin, Robin Van Persie and Alex Song. Though it appears RVP and Song could pop up on the subs bench Wednesday if their return to training goes well.

The Tottenham injuries (in order): Aaron Lennon, Ledley King, and Jonathan Woodgate still remain out, though both Lennon and King may be fit to return for the derby.

Even without Lennon and King, Spurs can field a much stronger side than an Arsenal team lacking Cesc and Andrei.

The Cockerels will come out of the tunnel buzzing, simply because they must. The fourth spot, though it deeply pains me to say it, will potentially be decided by this match.

They must come out with an intensity that Arsenal cannot match. They must let their brains lead as opposed to their passion and heart.

Something Spurs have been missing in the last few games is their intelligence. They must be solid at the back (fingers crossed for Ledders) and they must be smart going forward.

Thomas Vermaelen is the player Spurs must be on high alert for. He has been Wenger's best purchase of the season by a long shot and he is quite a defender.

After much thought and deliberation, I have created a squad (minus the yellow carded whiz kid Palacios) capable of producing against the Gunners and it is...

                                                   Gomes

                       Corluka-----Dawson-------King-------Assou Ekotto

                           Bentley----Modric---Huddlestone-----Bale

                                                    Defoe

                                               Pavlyuchenko

Subs: Crouch, Lennon-a must use, Rose, Bassong, Gudjohnsen, and perhaps Livermore.

It won't be easy, and it will most likely be damned ugly, but if Spurs work hard and dig deep, there is no reason they cannot achieve glory on the day.

As they say,

"You can't be the best until you beat the best."