VS 
Arsenal VS Tottenham
Emirates Stadium
Sunday 1st September 2013
Kick off 16:00BST 17:00CET
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...54&part=sports
Arsenal dare not lose this one. After the outcry that followed the home defeat to Aston Villa, the wrong result here would lead to meltdowns. Arsène Wenger's team has stabilised with wins over Fenerbahce and Fulham but Tottenham represent a tough proposition. There is form and momentum behind them, fired in no small measure by their lavish summer transfer spend. The loss of Gareth Bale has not brought doom and gloom. It is Arsenal who are desperate for a tonic.
Last season Arsenal 5 Spurs 2
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee M Oliver
Arsenal
Arsenal would be glad to have Laurent Koscielny back in the lineup after his red card suspension against Fulham. The North Londoners however lead the injury table and with a good margin. Adding to the list of injury layoffs is German international Lukas Podolski who suffered a hamstring tear and wont be back until November according to Arsene Wenger. The former Bayern striker netted a brace against Fulham last weekend but will be unavailable for the derby on Sunday, joining the likes of Diaby, Chamberlain, Vermaelen and Arteta on the sidelines. The latter 2, the captain and the vice-captain are the closest to a return with both penciled for a return against Stoke City.
One player who has left the injury demons behind him is Aaron Ramsey. 3 consecutive man of the match performances means he is one of the first names on the squad. Ramsey has evolved in his role and has shown how seamlessly he can fit into the formation, adjusting his game according to the players around him. Rosicky has looked jaded this season and last weekend against Fulham he was visibly tired. Wenger gave him the week off and there is a good chance he would start in the attacking midfield role with Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey occupying central midfield. The attacking trio pick themselves with Theo on the right, Santi on the left and Giroud upfront. Flaminis return to the club and straight into the matchday squad provides a good option for Wenger but the odds of him starting the game are low.
The shape will be a 433 with all midfielders needing to put in a shift against a midfield of Capoue-Paulinho-Dembele. The physical ability of the Tottenham midfield is much greater on paper but if the Arsene Wenger gets his act right, with better technical players in the side, he could have the Tottenham midfield chase shadows.
Subs from Fabianski, Martinez, Jenkinson, Monreal, Miquel, Frimpong, Flamini, Zelalem, Gnabry, Miyaichi, Sanogo, Akpom Doubtful None
Injured Arteta (thigh, Sep), Vermaelen (back, Sep), Ox-Chamberlain (knee, Nov), Podolski (hamstring, Nov), Diaby (knee, Mar) Suspended None
Form guide (last six games) WLWWWD
Disciplinary record Y5 R1
Leading scorer Giroud, Podolski 2
Tottenham
Tottenham have won 2 out of 2 in the league so far and are brimming with confidence. Andre Villas Boas might choose to field the same starting eleven that beat Swansea as Aaron Lennon continues to remain a doubt with a foot injury. Left back Assou-Ekotto and striker Emmanuel Adebayor will not feature due to a lack of match fitness. New signings Chiriches, Lamela and Eriksen will all look to impress the manager in training in order to get a starting spot on Sunday night. Soldados good start to the season means Defoes push to get back in the lineup will bear no fruit as of now.
Tottenham have already played more than 1 formation this season and with a host of new players we can expect more of the same as the season progresses. However on Sunday they might stick to the 433 he employed against Swansea with Lamela making his debut in place of Townsend. The youngster was extremely impressive last Sunday but AVB might be tempted to give Lamela a dream debut in one of the most entertaining derbies in football. The backline will remain the same with Benoit Assou Ekotto still recovering and Rose doing a commendable job in his place.
The instructions would be to crowd out the midfield and with the presence of Paulinho and Capoue they have more than sufficient steel in the middle to break Arsenals play. With the pace and trickery of their attack, the midfield would hope to initiate counters by pressing hard. Walcott against Rose will be another interesting battle with Theos pace causing a constant threat to last seasons Sunderland player of the year.
Subs from Friedel, Gomes, Naughton, Dawson, Lennon, Adebayor, Assou-Ekotto, Fryers, Chiriches, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Carroll, Lamela, Defoe
Doubtful Assou-Ekotto (abdominal), Adebayor (match fitness), Lennon (foot)
Injured None Suspended None
Form guide (last six games) WWWWDW
Disciplinary record Y1 R0
Leading scorer Soldado 2