Goons-Spurs: Case for a Good Gunners Game

After the slight modalities of the Carling Cup, in which both teams claimed big scalps of team from Mersey-side, it's back to the real reason why the wives and girlfriends (WAGS) wish the weekend was a thunderstorm weekday.

Both teams won against two of last season's big five and would take in some confidence going into the first of what they hope would be two North-London derbies. (By that I mean, they would be looking to avoid each other by the time the draws for the last eight take place, which would be known a few minutes before they step out for their tea-time kickoff on Saturday.)

For the Gunners, it is expected that all but one of those who played on Wednesday evening would be off the starting lineup—that is, if manager Arsene Wenger decided to throw Samir Nasri into the fray after coming through his first game of the season unscathed.

The probable changes might see Wenger restore Manuel Almunia to the lineup after taking note of Vito Mannone's gift to Charlton Cole at Upton Park. We might also see the Prof. replace Abou Diaby with Nasri, although that is not a given, but it sure would gladden the hearts of Arsenal fans, who continue to rue the presence of the taller Frenchman in the side (usually due to his poor decision making, especially in defensive and even in attacking positions).

Wenger might also toy with the possibility of going for quick goals by putting in either of Nasri, Fran Merida, Eduardo, or Nicklas Bendtner on the right wing in place of Emmanuel Eboue, but just as in the case before, we might not be shocked if he does not.

One thing is for sure: He would be looking for his team, led by their young captain, Cesc Fabregas, to score three, four, five, or even six goals in the first half.

It seems like that is the only way for his team not to get pegged back going by the AZ, West Ham, and even corresponding game of last season, where his team lost leads, squandered more goals scoring chances, and yet went home with nothing more than one point after dominating said games.

The Spurs captain has made a huge statement that his team is on par with their foes from across the N5 and might even be a better prospect at making it into the Champions League at the end of the season, going by what he referred to as better players and a greater depth in team.

The absence of danger man Luka Modric must delight the Gunner faithfuls and Wenger, as without the diminutive orchestrator, Tottenham lacks someone with the ability to split their defense with amazing passes, second only to the penetration of their own Fabregas.

The inability of Harry Houdini to play marksman Jermain Defoe, their top scorer this season, would also be crucial, as he is one known for getting goals against top quality opposition, not the least Arsenal.

His straight red card in the game against Pompey might come back to haunt his team. In his absence the whites would turn to lanky striker Peter Crouch to do what a lot of teams manage to do against the Arsenal rearguard: score.

In general, what would count the most in this game is how they manage to stop the fluidity of the Gunner's midfield and attack, stopping them from converting a good number of their usual high rate of attempts, and making use of their chances when they do get them (something that won't be lacking, taking into account the vulnerability of the fullback when they go forward).

Robin Van Persie is on a goal run, and Andrei Arshavin is capable of scoring at any moment when he really feels like taking the game by the scruff. Fabregas is getting in among the goals and would you be surprised to see an after-goal celebration led by either one of Thomas Vermaleen or William Gallas (who have nine goals between them already).

Would a rear goal from Alex Song, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, or even the goalkeeper on the day (Paul Robinson did that a couple of seasons ago) tilt the pot this time or would Eboue have his accurate shooting boot on, just like a hat-trick from Eduardo would be a delight to see.

However this pans out, it is hoped that good football is produced, no controversial moments (as if we don't have that every time), total lack of fan abuse (is it possible these days?), and a win for Arsenal (especially to ensure sanity in the papers for the next morning) is the outcome of this cracker of a derby game.