Written by Shahan Ahmed
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North London Derby: Gunners vs Spurs

Tottenham and Arsenal are both in trouble. Spurs are in 7th and out of the European spots. The Gunners are even worse off in 8th place. Both teams come into Saturday’s North London derby desperate for a result.

Arsenal’s last win was on October 30, in the amazing come from behind 7-5 league cup win over Reading. Since then, the Gunners have lost one and drawn two. However, Arsenal has grown offensively as this season has progressed. The Gunners have now scored in their last five matches after starting the season unable to score in their first two.

Olivier Giroud seems to have finally adjusted to life in London, and the French striker has four goals in his last four appearance for the Gunners. Giroud’s hot form even earned the 26 year-old a start with the French national team during mid-week.

On the other side of the ball, Tottenham is coming off two successive league defeats and three losses in four matches. After a difficult loss away to Manchester City, manager Andre Villas Boas has a difficult task in taking his team to the Emirates.

Jermain Defoe was Spurs top scorer earlier in the season, but the England international has been sullied with a hamstring injury. As such, Tottenham will likely turn to Emmanual Adebayor for the second time in as many weeks. Also, for the second time in two weeks, the Togolese striker faces a former club that left him feeling sour.

Revenge, desperation, and redemption is on offer in this Saturday’s North London derby.

Arsenal Team Report

After serving his suspension, Jack Wilshire should walk back into the starting 11. Wilshire featured for England’s 4-2 loss to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden. Theo Walcott (ankle), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hip), Sagna (fatigue) and Szcesny (ankle) all face tests ahead of Saturday’s match. Diaby, Gervinho, Gibbs, Fabianski, and Rosicky are not expected to take part.

Probable Starting XI:

Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Arteta, Wilshire, Ramsey, Podolski, Cazorla, Giroud

Tottenham Hotspur Report

Sandro returns for Spurs and should command the middle of the field in tandem with Huddlestone. Huddlestone featured for England on Wednesday. Adebayor started against his former employer, Manchester City, last weekend. Adebayor faces another former employer in Arsenal this week, but if Jermain Defoe recovers from a hamstring injury in time to re-assume starting responsibilities, Defoe should be first choice.

Probable Starting XI:

Friedel, Vertonghen, Gallas, Caulker, Walker, Huddlestone, Sandro, Lennon, Bale, Dempsey, Adebayor

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