Injuries and form are making picking the right team tough for Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp ahead of the derby. Here are five issues to consider…
1) Will Laurent Koscielny be fit? A year on from his humiliation in the Carling Cup Final, Koscielny has developed into Arsenal’s most reliable defender. He missed the FA Cup game with Sunderland with a slight knee injury and Arsenal will be crossing their fingers that he can get fit. The signs are looking good so far and the fact the game is on Sunday gives him an extra day to get up to speed.
2) Should Arsenal give Arshavin a chance? The Russian played for the club’s reserves in midweek, scoring twice. With Theo Walcott’s form indifferent, perhaps he should be taken out of the firing line and left on the bench. It would be a big call for Wenger to start Arshavin, but it has to be an option worth considering.
3) Will Adebayor and Van der Vaart be fit? Both the Tottenham players are nursing injuries, with Adebayor looking likely to win his battle to face his former club. He will be a major boost considering his performance last time out against Newcastle. The issue over Van der Vaart is important as it could influence the shape of the Spurs line-up. He missed the FA Cup tie with Stevenage due to a calf injury. Should Spurs play 4-4-2 or take a more pragmatic approach?
4) Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s fitness? The French full-back underwent a small operation to cure a groin problem earlier in the week, and is not 100 per cent guaranteed to start. Harry Redknapp remains optimistic, and will be hoping he is ready for action. He scored last time out against Newcastle, and has been in fine form since the turn of the year, and Tottenham will not want to lose him for this crucial clash.
5) Should Wenger start Oxlade-Chamberlain? The last time ‘The Ox’ started at the Emirates, Arsenal ran out 7-1 winners against Blackburn. How they would dearly love a repeat this weekend. Surely Wenger has to be brave and start him, anything less would leave him open to more criticism. The youngster has the directness to cause problems for the Spurs defence and could be a match winner.
Who will win the derby? Let us know your predictions
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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