Morning all.
Liverpool went to West Ham yesterday lunchtime. They went 1-0 down, 2-1 up and then dropped two precious points when West Ham grabbed an equaliser. I wouldn’t go as far to say Klopp’s team is now out of the Premier League title race but like us, they really needed to win all their remaining fixtures just to have a chance of lifting the Premier League
The evening game between Aston Villa and Chelsea ended in a draw which was good for us as it means Aston Villa can no longer match us for points, let alone overtake us. Their draw opens the door for Totts to take 4th place, perhaps 3rd if Liverpool’s bad run continues.
Arsenal make the short trip to Totts today for a 2pm kickoff. Both clubs need a win but for different reasons. I’ve not watched much of Totts since their trip to The Emirates earlier in the season.
Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke on what to expect from the home team:
Postecoglou has repeatedly insisted that his philosophy is set in stone. They will line up in a 4-2-3-1 and from that base they will try to play fast, possession-based football. Spurs average more than a 62 per cent share of the ball, which is second only to Manchester City, so we may have to spend certain spells keeping a robust shape out of possession. Off the ball they will squeeze their back four up to the halfway line in the hope of crowding space and upsetting our passing rhythm. When this ploy works it can have a suffocating effect, and statistically, Spurs do break up play with a defensive action every 8.8 passes; the joint-best record in the division. If we play our way past the press Tottenham’s high defensive line can be exposed and look vulnerable.
James Maddison is a top-class No.10 who creates two chances per 90 minutes in open play. Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner have blistering pace on counters, and Son Heung-Min remains a lethal finisher. His conversion rate this term stands at an impressive 28 per cent. Our job will be to quieten down a vociferous home crowd by controlling the match inside Tottenham territory. Chasing three points, we need to supply our forwards with as much quality service as possible in advanced areas.
Injuries:
Jurrien Timber is the only doubt for today’s match but at least he’s been back in action. Would I be surprised to see him on the bench, absolutely not.
Totts are without Udodge, Skipp, Forster, Sessegnon and Solomon. Richarlison and Porro are expected to return.
The rivalry between the two clubs goes back many many years, the hostility between fans is possibly like no other in the English game. Today though, this isn’t all about a local derby or St Totts Day – it’s about getting three points on the board. Three points which will keep us in the title race. They’ll be at it, we know that and with Champions League football still in their sights, they’ve all to play for.
The game at The Emirates earlier in the season was pretty even. Ange Postecoglou was not long in his new job with the footballing know it alls telling us he was the real deal. Totts were all about attacking and entertaining football and this was going to be a great season for them. On their day, they can be good and when they face Man City, I hope they are brilliant but today, I hope Mikel Arteta’s players are simply too good.
Totts go into this game having had a two week break. Their last fixture was a 4-0 thumping by Newcastle United. Admittedly, it was at St James Park but even so, a battering like that can knock the stuffing out of any team.
Arsenal however, go into this game with a 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea behind them so confidence should be high. No arrogance, just a whole lot of belief. Our midfield will be key and in my opinion, it needs one of Jorginho or Partey alongside Rice. I don’t think this is a game for Zinchenko though, certainly not from the start. Tomiyasu would be my choice but it’s not up to me. Thank goodness eh.
All I’ve heard about Totts is that they’re great in attack, but many a question mark has been raised about their defence. A ball over the top of their high defensive line and we could be in. After all, it’s not like our attacking players lack pace is it, especially if Martinelli starts.
I hope we give them nothing this afternoon. Not a sniff at Raya’s goal and not one decision for referee Michael Oliver to make. No mistakes for Totts to capitalise on and no holding back in front of goal. Be smart, be patient and be ruthless.
Three huge points are up for grabs today, go and get them Arsenal.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning all!
Come on Arsenal!
It’s hard to keep your mind on anything else today , possibly the most important NLD for some time . Making measured comments is virtually impossible , just roll on 4 pm where we can celebrate or moan .
Until then ,
Agreed, I’m glad it’s not a 4.30 ko although by then I might wish it were.
Huge game.
Good morning Rico and all.
Always a special game, this time around it’s a must win for both clubs. Spurs will be desperate to get above Villa and nick a top four place. That desperation could be a good thing for us so long as we play our game and frustrates the life out of them so they get careless and leave themselves open at the back.
One up and comer on the books is sixteen year old academy forward Chido Obi-Martin. Playing in an Under 18 Premier League win at Norwich he scored the first seven goals in a 9 – 0 win. That follows the 10 goals he score for the Under 16’s win over Liverpool. He’s now scored 24 goals in his last seven appearances. He’s already training with the first team squad and is expected to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 in November.
Morning Cicero. Yep, an early goal for us could very well open them up as they go in search of an equaliser which in theory, could play to our advantage.
Hope Partey and Tomi are fit for this one…
Afternoon Rico and Co
In a word or few words:
Come On You Gunners
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Trossard..
No Timber on the bench.
Afternoon Kev.
Same 11 then. COYG’s!!
Afternoon Rico and all,
Lets hope for great result.
Hi Geoff.
We might be 1-0 up but we need to up our game, stop the fouling and improve our passing.
Phew, lucky escape.. Tuck your bum in next time Gabriel 😜
Stunning from Arsenal. Great finish Bukayo..
Always said Havertz was a great player 😂
Great start but even better that the ref and VAR are not falling for the Tottenham players diving in the box
A couple of close moments, but now we have to make sure we don’t drop our game and hopefully score a few more goals
50 more minutes of suffering . Even at 3 nought I can’t relax
Ian Wright says Tottenham goal should have stood
Me neither. We’ve given them too many chances to relax just yet.
I think it was the Totts players shoulder which was off Geoff. Could have gone either way really.
Well I didn’t expect to be thinking about a big goal difference boost 😀
Not sure how we three up, but clinical finishing, it’s what we have all wanted. Losing so many loose balls earlier, just need to be more composed and solid, Jorginho will calm things later hopefully.
Not seen Odergaard give ball away so much. Oh Saka, should have been four.
Raya, what were you thinking..
Raya f—k up let them scored
Odegaard is Spurs’ target of choice. Oliver has let Spurs get away with so many sneaky little fouls.
Worse than the Ramsdale ricket!
Arteta needs to sub Odegaard he”s getting kicked to pieces. He’s at risk of serious injury.
We just let them back in,
Bloody hell, that was no good for my heart!!
Still, job done in the end. 😂
Not sure we deserved to win that crap second half,
A bit dodgy toward the end but Arsenal defend the lead despite some poor officiating.
Still top of the league.
Great result, but feel as if we lost!
David Raya ? No comment .
He looked as crestfallen as Ramsdale, but teammates ensured neither cost us points thankfully. But felt all season, it would happen at some point. And then a Rice mistake in same match! I dread to think of the Bottler remarks if they had got a third. And it would have been our own fault.
Fingers crossed that Forest can beat City
“David Raya – no comment” 😂
Half-time Forest 0 – 1 City. Forest have had a couple of good chances. The result is not the foregone conclusion everybody predicted….yet. 😕
With Raya, it was a fraction of second’s loss of concentration in a hundred minute match. I can forgive him under the circumstances, but he needs to be just a bit more aware.
I can forgive him now the game is over but his moment of madness gave Totts hope in a game they were not in.
People especially Arteta didnt give Ramsdale the same leniency though .
You know my thoughts, Ramsdale every day of the week.
And that’s a “no comment” from me too!
New post up.