A game like this is what the FA Cup is all about.
Passion, history, rivalry and intensity; it will all be on display at the Emirates on Saturday at 12:15pm ET between North London foes Arsenal and Tottenham in a massive clash.
The two Premier League teams were drawn at random against each other in the third round (the stage when Premier League sides enter) of the oldest cup competition in world soccer. Just to give you a heads up, amateur, semi-pro and tens of lower league sides in England and Wales have already been through qualifying and many other rounds just to get to the last 64 of the most famous knockout tournament in the global game.
(MORE: Full draw for FA Cup third round, as 32 games take place)
But back to Arsenal vs. Tottenham, and the Premier League leaders are in good form after a fruitful festive period that saw them keep their lead at the PL summit. As for Spurs, they’ve changed managers since these sides last met on September 1, 2013 as Tim Sherwood has had a sensational start to life in charge of Tottenham following Andre Villas-Boas’ departure.
Spurs have won three of Sherwood’s four games PL games in charge and are unbeaten since he took over on a permanent basis before Christmas. But this will be a huge test for Sherwood, as Arsenal have been sweeping away sides since the start of the season and look resolutely defensively but one bonus for the visitors is the amount of injuries piling up for the Gunners.
This FA Cup tie has great importance, not only for local pride but a positive result will help to keep both teams good league form going. And here’s a crazy stat for you, this is only the sixth time Arsenal and Spurs have met since the competition began in 1871 and on the other five occasions whoever triumphed in the North London derby has gone on to lift the FA Cup that year.
In team news, Arsenal strikers Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner are set to miss out while left back Kieran Gibbs is also sidelined. For Spurs, they could welcome back Jermain Defoe, Lewis Holtby and Andros Townsend from injury, while former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor looks to have overcome the knock which saw him stretched off in Tottenham’s win over Manchester United on Wednesday.
What they’re saying
Wenger says his side will be focused: “My players are highly focused on this game. They are determined to win every single game they play, their attitude has been absolutely fantastic since the start of the season and will be like that on Saturday.”
Tim Sherwood on Adebayor: “I spoke to Ade after United and he said he cramped up in all areas, some where he’d never cramped before, so he wasn’t sure if he had strains or pulls, but thankfully it has settled down, he’s had some great treatment and he’s ready to perform.”
Prediction
Tottenham looked revitalized and more stable since Tim Sherwood took over, they also look more capable of scoring plenty of goals. If they can score early away at Arsenal, the home fans will get restless and pile the pressure on their side. North London derbies are usually very tight affairs and I expect this to be no different. A draw would see a replay take place at White Hart Lane and a chance for another pulsating clash, my money would be on a stalemate at the Emirates this Saturday evening.