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Arsenal will try to steady the ship in a potentially season-defining game Wednesday night at home to Spurs after a trio of disappointments over the last 10 days: they went out of the FA Cup on penalties against Manchester United, and lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semifinal first leg after they drew from a winning position at halftime in their last league match at Brighton.  Aside from their ever-lengthening injury list, perhaps the most concerning thing about those last two and a half games has been that the Gunners have looked toothless in attack.  Indeed, their only player to score a goal in that stretch was Gabriel, who is of course a defender.  

This week’s doldrums have been such that it’s a comfort to remember that the Gunners defeated Spurs 1-0 away from home in September, when Gabriel scored the only goal on a header from a corner kick in what was captain Odegaard’s first of seven consecutive league games missed due to injury.  It was the Gunners’ third straight victory at the noisy neighbours’ new digs.  In last season’s home fixture, played on April 28, the Gunners held on for a 3-2 home win after scoring a triple salvo of first half goals.

But now would be a terrible time to drop any more points, and particularly not to that blustery bunch from up the other end of the Seven Sisters Road.

The malodorous opposition

Perhaps Spurs have one or two more glamorous moments in their history, but a distinct highlight from our point of view was in 1935 when they were relegated to the Second Division, after which they failed in each and every attempt to return to the first tier until 15 years had elapsed.  Not so uncoincidentally, on March 6, 1935 Arsenal registered a hearty 6–0 thrashing of Spurs that remains the biggest win by either team in the history of this contest, and most certainly helped consign Spurs to relegation. But since 1950, Spurs suffered only the 1977-78 season in the second tier, so they and Arsenal have played in the same division meaning fixtures between the two have been regular, and the interclub rivalry has seen two chapters added year upon year.

12th placed Spurs are coming into their 197th match against Arsenal, having won only 61 of the previous contests between the clubs, after losing at home to Newcastle in the Premier League on January 4th, and defeating Liverpool by 1-0 in their League Cup semifinal first leg four days later, before traveling to Tamworth where they prevailed 3-0 over the fifth tier club after extra time of their FA Cup match on Sunday.

Spurs team news is that they will be missing up to eight players including left-back Udogie who is expected to be out at least five more weeks with a hamstring injury.  Central defenders van de Ven and Romero are also out injured along with first-goalkeeper Vicario leaving Pedro Porro as the only healthy member of Postecoglou’s preferred back five.  Spurs’ most recent addition to the injury list is midfielder Bentancur who suffered a neck injury against Newcastle. 

On January 5th, the day after that game, Spurs adressed their goalkeeping emergency by signing 21-year-old goalkeeper Kinsky from Slavia Prague.  First-choice keeper Vicario has been missing since he fractured an ankle in late November’s 4-0 win over Man C115y.  Since then 36 year-old Fraser Forster had deputised but was out with illness against Newcastle, bringing on a debut for journeyman Brandon Austin.  Kinsky was thrown into the deep end against Liverpool in Spurs’ Carabao Cup semifinal first leg last Wednesday.

Prior to playing Tamworth, among Spurs’ more uplifting team stats was their one victory from their last eight top-flight games, in which they also drew two and lost five.  Spurs were winless in six successive home league games, drawing two and losing four, representing their worst run since going eight straight games without winning in 2008.  Spurs had conceded 17 goals in their past five home games in all competitions.

But never mind that Spurs aren’t in their best moment because they will no doubt lift their game for the derby, and Arsenal must be ready for it.  Spurs got an excellent result against Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semifinal home leg, beneficiaries of a slightly lucky late winner to take a 1-0 advantage into the away leg, as 18-year-old Bergvall probably should have been sent off before he scored the winner.  

Arsenal XI

Arsenal’s missing and wounded contingent includes nailed-on starters Saka and White as well as backups Jesus, Nwaneri and Tomiyasu, while Calafiori is also a serious doubt after missing out against Manchester United with a muscle injury.  The back four should remain stable, with Timber likely to take White’s right-back spot, and Lewis-Skelly to stay in Timber’s favored spot at left-back.  In midfield I expect Rice to come in for Merino and Partey for Jorginho, with Trossard to fill in for Jesus (who was filling in for Saka). 

Raya
Timber  Saliba  Gabriel  Lewis-Skelly
Ødegaard  Partey  Rice
Trossard  Havertz  Martinelli

With the team sputtering as it has been, who knows where Arsenal’s next goal will come from, but if history is any guide then Gabriel could be our man.  If Arsenal manage to replicate the 1-0 win they scored at White Hart Lane a few months ago, I will personally volunteer to travel to Newcastle for the league cup second leg, and to eschew wearing a shirt for the entire game. 

Just kidding.  Don’t let me distract you from what’s important:  Come on Arsenal and smash the scum!  Enjoy the game, ‘holics.

60 Drinks to “Spudz to Provide Their Customary Comedy Relief or a Deepening of Arsenal’s Mid-Winter Dip?”

  1. 1
    ClockEndRider says:

    Nice preview, bt8. Your team is difficult to argue with. With all the injuries there isn’t really much room for change. I thought Sterling okayed well against United and he may feel a tad aggrieved at not starting, and possibly Tierney at left back. The latter would mean ditching some of the control which is so important to Arteta as you mention so is unlikely, although I can see him coming on from around 60, if only to protect MLS, whom we need to protect from overplayed at his still tender age.
    Nothing quite like getting back on the horse after being unseated. Let’s make the Emirates a cauldron tonight.

    COYRRR’s

  2. 2
    TTG says:

    Excellent preview Bt8 . We haven’t got many options re selection but I would start Sterling. Frankly this game always worries me because defeat is too awful to contemplate but the Spuds are dangerous going forward and I think we need a big performance from our top players to see them off
    I desperately hope we get it but I’m not optimistic given recent form, luck and our bluntness upfront . Hopefully it’s unnecessary pessimism

  3. 3
    OsakaMatt says:

    Thanks bt8, summed it up very well really. Time to steady the ship and that XI looks ok.
    With everyone drawing yesterday it would be a very good time to take the 3 points and cut the gap. Fingers crossed it will be Kai who gets the goal, however it is also time for some of our leaders in the team to step up, Ode, Declan, Gabriel spring to mind. They aren’t very good and 4-1 looks about right to me.

  4. 4
    BtM says:

    A team with a decimated defence plays another with a heavily depleted attack. Spuds looked quite good against Liverpool and tonight’s game won’t be an easy one.

    If Arsenal can start putting away some of the chances that we consistently produce, but then scorn, the gap to the league leaders should be reduced by two more points.

    With Odegaard and Martinelli on corner taking duty, Gabriel struggled for impact on Sunday, bt8. Teams are developing counter ploys to our set piece plays. With a bit of luck, Ange won’t have bothered, mate.

  5. 5
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Cheers bt8. You’ve set that up nicely.

    Personally, I’m optimistic for the rest of the season. I’ve seen people say we need to win tonight or we won’t finish in the top 4 and I’m left baffled. For two seasons we’ve been one of two sides clearly out in front in this league, and the players and manager know that. They know they are good, and not in a mercurial, fragile sort of way like some of Wenger’s latter teams. They are a tough lot with a really gritty mindset. That’s what they need to get through this tough period, and then things will start looking up.

    Pool are gonna drop more points (they have drawn 2 and lost 1 in their last 3 games). I’m sure we will be well up for the game tonight (and Villa at the weekend). Things can change fast in football, and a couple of bad results (highly anomalous given the underlying stats in both games) haven’t left me as down as some people.

    I hope Nwaneri comes back soon, and we clearly need to bring a player in to our attack, but for tonight we should have enough to win from set pieces alone. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

    I’d love a Havertz winner, he’s an Arsenal player and after a tough week on and off the pitch he could do with a rocking, stadium-wide rendition of waka waka!

    UTA!

  6. 6
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Arseblog is the pre-eminent Arsenal blogger, and he was a friend of Dave’s and who respected Dave hugely (a feeling heartily reciprocated by Goonerholic). I was pleased this morning to read Blogs use Dave’s ‘guns out’ line (well, Dave usually said ‘cannons out’!) and mention the maestro. Just the right time to remind us all that the bad guys are everyone is who isn’t Arsenal!

    Victoria Concordia Crescit

  7. 7
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    I wonder if Odegaard missing the penalty and then stepping up first in the shootout to score might ignite his season?

    Perhaps it might remind him of how good he is, how much he has the capacity as captain to lead by example and inspire the team. And he might feel aggrieved and like he owes something. It’s hard to say of course.

    What is clear is that the better he plays, the better we play, and the more goals he scores, the more games we are gonna win.

  8. 8
    Bathgooner says:

    A most enjoyable preview, bt8. I was unaware that the Spuds were in the second tier for such a long period of time. Your team is as good as we can muster but I have a feeling that Sterling may start this match and will make a major contribution. Do we know that Timber is fit and recovered from the muscle injury that prompted his substitution on Sunday? If not, I fear that we may have to resort to TP5 at RB again and draft the, to date, underwhelming Merino into midfield again. The latter could do with a NLD winner to light up his Arsenal career. On the other hand, there are a few players who could do with the invigorating effect of such a contribution.

    Our recent run of serious injuries added to our bluntness in front of goal has left my confidence a tad damaged and further darkened my usual NLD mood. I do not enjoy the build up to a NLD, nor do I enjoy the game itself (until it is over and nicely won). I would much prefer to sleep through the event and be appraised of the result on waking – perverse and masochist, I know. There is generally too much at stake, form is irrelevant and the game too often seems like a lottery. In truth, unlike many who claim that they would miss the NLD, I would be delighted if Ange took that shower down to the second tier or even lower for another 15 year spell.

    COYG

  9. 9
    North Bank Ned says:

    Spot on that the form book goes out of the window with an NLD, bt8. Objectively, the three points at stake are the same as any other three points, but subjectively, they mean so much more. Double satisfaction and more if the team can get back to winning ways tonight. A Havertz hat-trick would be sweet.

    In the bidding for striker reinforcements, I guess we have been priced out of signing Christiano Ronaldo. Al-Nassr has reportedly offered him a one-year £160 million contract extension — which works out to £460,000 a day. Yes, a day. And as it is Saudi Arabia, there is no income tax. Plus, he will get a 5% stake in the club.

    Also, let me repost this link to a lengthy Athletic article about playing out from the back that I posted in the previous drinks in response to a query from TTG:

    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5295095/2024/03/04/football-teams-playing-out-from-the-back-why/

  10. 10
    North Bank Ned says:

    GSD@6 sent me to read Blogs on Arseblog, where I saw that he—Blogs, not GSD, obviously—suggested that we are close to signing Martin Zubimendi. With Partey and Jorginho out of contract this summer, Zubimendi would be a top-class addition to the squad for next season. Beating ‘Pool and Citeh to his signature would be the icing on the cake. And no why-are-we-buying-a-midfielder-when-we-need-a-striker talk, please.

    In his pre-NLD press conference, Arteta suggested that we were looking hard for a striker to bring in this window. Duh! — although I liked his little bit of self-depreciation that he wasn’t so stubborn about sticking with the existing squad.

    Looking hard is not the same as finding, of course. Jesus doing his ACL makes it a seller’s market. Juve has reportedly already upped its asking price for Vlahovic. However, Sesko, our No. 1 target if you were to believe the rumour mill, might now be more convinced that he would start regularly if he came in January.

  11. 11
    Trev says:

    Nice one, bt8 ! I wonder if Sterling might start as Trossard’s form has nosedived lately. There should be more room to play in tonight if Tottenham really do stick to what they are, mate ! A good win followed by a good window coukd reset our season quite nicely – just as Liverpool are beginning to drop points here and there.,

  12. 12
    bathgooner says:

    Ned @10, there are several good analyses of Vlahovic that show that while he takes ‘lots of shots’ (3 per game), he is less good at finishing than our very own Kai Havertz. I therefore hope that we don’t compromise our first choice striker in the summer merely to bring in a warm body this month. I recognise the need for a response to our injury crisis but I don’t think Vlahovic is the answer even if they discounted him rather than raised the asking price. However the possibility that Sesko can see an opportunity to seal the Arsenal striker role is encouraging even if it is merely a rumour on the grapevine.

  13. 13
    North Bank Ned says:

    bath@12: I get the sense there is a touch of the Luther Blissets to Vlahovic — lots of shots but a lot of them ending up in row Z.

    I’d like to get Osimhen in on loan for the rest of the season if that were at all possible. Not only does he have a much better goal-scoring rate than Sesko, Vlahovic or Havertz, but he gets plenty of assists, too.

  14. 14
    TTG says:

    It’s interesting to note that the Spuds have the best defensive record in the PL away from home . That’s not something one would expect . And that’s with a lot of defensive injuries

  15. 15
    bt8 says:

    Spudz are down to 13th in the table, not 12th as stated in the preview, as the result of Potter’s WHU win against Fulham yesterday despite Iwobi’s two goals.

    What would it take for Spudz to sack Ange, mate?

  16. 16
    bt8 says:

    Best not to tempt fate. Read TTG @14 and just hope we can score against them.

  17. 17
    Sancho Panza says:

    Team sheets are out. Sterling starts with Trossard. Martinelli on the bench.

  18. 18
    North Bank Ned says:

    Raya
    Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly
    Partey, Rice, Odegaard
    Trossard, Sterling, Havertz

    Subs: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Jorginho, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Martinelli.

  19. 19
    Uplympian says:

    Thanks bt8 for your thorough preview – it has set the match up nicely.
    I’m with Bsth in that I love / hate the NLD. It’s unbearable to lose to that shower – form (league positions ) does not reflect how the match will play out. Even more so tonight with our injury weakened attack and their injury weakened defence. I hope the shattering disappointments of our defeats in both cup competitions in the past week has not removed all vestiges of confidence – this is the NLD and the hordes of Mddx ne’re do wells must be sent back to the marshlands from whence they came with their tails between their legs.
    The team is almost as predicted by bt8 – Sterling coming in to score a brace and become an Arsenal legend forthwith – 3-1 to the good guys.
    COYRRR

  20. 20
    North Bank Ned says:

    Two Academy forwards on the bench in Butler-Oyedeji and the pacey winger Kabia.

  21. 21
    bt8 says:

    Come on you Gunners and come on Sterling. May it play out exactly as Uply predicted.

  22. 22
    BtM says:

    20 mins of total ball domination then three quick attacks from Spurs that are more potent than the past 20 mins.

    Totally on top buy 1-0 down.

  23. 23
    BtM says:

    Porro gets absolutely done by Trossard Cruyff turn ……… ref stops the game to spare his embarrassment …….. no head injury there, play on.

  24. 24
    BtM says:

    Our corner routines are beginning to look a bit tired and old hat.

  25. 25
    BtM says:

    Steling doesn’t have the belief in himself that he can take on Spence. Neither of our wingers can get past their FBs.

  26. 26
    BtM says:

    Of course I love a bit of old hat!

  27. 27
    OsakaMatt says:

    Gabriel get in, needed that

  28. 28
    OsakaMatt says:

    LEO!! Turned it around

  29. 29
    BtM says:

    Brilliant tackle by TP5, rapid transition Martin to Tross, perfect finish by Tross.

  30. 30
    BtM says:

    Ohayo Gozaimasu, Matt. Very early for you?

  31. 31
    BtM says:

    Still a lot to do in the second half.

  32. 32
    bt8 says:

    Impressive resilience so far. Come on Arsenal

  33. 33
    OsakaMatt says:

    5AM BtM, piece of cake as I get older

    Yeah, a nervous half awaits but those two goals certainly
    sweetened the coffee

  34. 34
    BtM says:

    Bergvall having a very big impact in midfield for them.

  35. 35
    OsakaMatt says:

    Now it is a very good morning!

  36. 36
    BtM says:

    HUGE!

  37. 37
    BtM says:

    Martin and Kai can’t keep fluffing these chances. The dam has got to burst soon.

  38. 38
    North Bank Ned says:

    NLDs are so much more enjoyable once they are over. Doubly so when we win.

  39. 39
    Uplympian says:

    Phew – always a great feeling to send them back to the marshes defeated. If we could only put away some of our chances a true reflection of the match would be apparant.
    North London is Red!

  40. 40
    North Bank Ned says:

    BtM@34: Bergall looks like a prospect. There is a bit of edge to him that will prospectively get him more than a few yellow cards. Kinsky also looks as if he will be a keeper (see what I did there? I’ll get my coat…) once he learns how to play with his feet to PL standards.

  41. 41
    BtM says:

    With the Monks beavering behind you, I’m sure you could conjure up a first class stand up routine, Ned…….maybe better than the freelance stuff?

  42. 42
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Great result. Team worked their socks off. Stadium buzzing.
    MLS MotM for me.

    Get in!

  43. 43
    North Bank Ned says:

    BtM@41: I’d have to outsource to Trev…

  44. 44
    Countryman100 says:

    Oh what a night. The lads worked their socks off. Crowd were super super loud!

  45. 45
    Sancho Panza says:

    A really brave performance from the lads, especially after going one down.
    And compare that to the cowardly play to lose performance of our opponents against C115y last season. Their pathetic supporters celebrated losing a match so low are they.

  46. 46
    bt8 says:

    Three scrumptious points and none for the pond scum. What’s not to like?

    Also we did the double over the scum, for them who can count to two.

  47. 47
    TTG says:

    …….And breathe !
    It’s a lovely feeling when it’s over but we were very much better than them tonight . Our first half performance was immense . Yes we need a striker but we had some wonderful performances- MLS , Odegaard , Gabriel , Rice etc etc were all immense . MLS is going to be very special but he might move up to midfield . But he’s going to be a legend

  48. 48
    bt8 says:

    They brought on Richarlison to try to win it. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  49. 49
    bathgooner says:

    Given our current circumstances and recent cup reverses that was an absolutely massive win. In a febrile atmosphere, with an early setback, we kept our heads, kept up our workrate, continued to make chance after chance, spurned most of them, sometimes unbelievably, but scored twice to win the game. It’s hilarious that the corner from which we got our first goal should actually a goal kick. Massive performance from nearly everyone.Looking forward to Matt’s report now the game is over. :0)

  50. 50
  51. 51
    TTG says:

    Like my friend C100 I occasionally revert to S***’s sites when they are suffering a bit because I am a heartless sadist ( can’t speak for C100)
    Amazingly some of the Orcs on there are of the view that they deserved a point and tgat only a bent referee saved us . And we had ‘ almost our best team ‘ out . Hard to credit isn’t it !
    I appreciate this is the rawest of matches but there was a chasm between those two teams today. Rather like the Lamela Rabona game a few years ago they took a totally unjustified lead and poked the bear . Our reaction was good .
    I was interested that Ange tried to close the game up in the first half and changed course when we had a real grip on the game . Tactician he is not .
    Arteta was interesting when asked about transfers live on air on TNT . He all but confirmed we were in the market because we are so short . Let’s hope Ayto can work some magic

  52. 52
    Up4GrabsNow! says:

    MLS was huge and big Gabby was immense. Hopefully we have turned the corner.

  53. 53
    ClockEndRider says:

    I’m going to watch the game back again today, but I think our level of drive with pace and intent was considerably upped from the last two games. And it was noticeable to me that the crowd – outside the ground before the game, around the bar downstairs and in the arena itself – was totally up for it. Coming down in the tube from the top of the Piccadilly line, I don’t think I have ever seen so many red and white hats and scarves. Where usually fans can be a bit subdued on the journey and many without colours, there was none of it last night. I hope the noise came across on tv.
    MOS was my man if the match, for what it’s worth. Next season he could be a contender for one of the midfield slots shortly to be vacated by Jorginho and Partey. He has all the attributes.

  54. 54
    ClockEndRider says:

    MLS, obviously. I must get a new secretary.

  55. 55
    TTG says:

    CER
    The atmosphere was electric last night even watching on TV . It felt like a wave of emotion behind the team and a reaffirmation of what being a Gooner means .
    Rice was still massively pumped up after tye game and made a comment tgat we coukd have scored ten in the first half. It seemed to me most of the team picked up ty3 same vibe and played with immense passion . The one exception was Sterling. I defended him last week because I felt he hadn’t had a chance and he was ok against United but last night showed his limitations against what was a second string Spuds back line .
    Frankly his career at the top level is over if he can’t impact a game more than he did last night. Lads who have been off the boil like Trossard were miles better . Saudi Arabia beckons for Sterling. Our two loans are causing us a problem as we aren’t really using either and it’s blocking us . One can now see why Maresca had him training with the stiffs Frankly he’s nicking a ( very lavish) living .

  56. 56
    ClockEndRider says:

    TTG,
    Thanks for that confirmation of the loudness of the crowd. I too was hugely disappointed with Sterling. Admittedly he had Spence to contend with, who, while he may be something of a serial problem,- just look at the number io clubs he has had and how long he has stayed at each – is a very good player and very fast. He added a real energy in the Man U game but that looked to be absent last night. Both his touch and his decision making were poor. Were it not for the fact that we are so short of numbers up front, I’d be tempted to cancel his loan.

  57. 57
    OsakaMatt says:

    Oddly enough I thought Sterling did ok all things considered.
    Most of two games with a short turn around is a challenge after
    many months out

  58. 58
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    I agree with OM about Sterling. He was okay. He had some moments and was defensively switched on. You could see the lack of matches he’s played by how shattered he was after 60 mins, when his game had slowed down a lot. (Contrast with Havertz and Odegaard who were still pressing in injury time.)

    I wasn’t expecting him to be amazing last night though, he’ll need a more game time to get up to speed, and obviously a goal would be great to get him going. Even if we sign someone else, we will still need a contribution from Sterling this season, so I’m very much watching him with a view to how that scenario could develop, and I think there were some encouraging signs last night. Fingers crossed.

  59. 59
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    This is my favourite quote from last night by miles and miles. From Declan Rice…

    “As I’ve got older I don’t get the recognition I deserve. I was bought for a big fee and I play for Arsenal. Not a lot of people like Arsenal – I keep my head down and I know my qualities.”

    He gets it. Not a lot of people like Arsenal. And that’s fine with us.

  60. 60
    Bathgooner says:

    >>>>>>>