Will Spuds cut into Arsenal's rich vein of form?
North London is red! we did it again, Tottenham we did it again! Mind the gap! am on a chanty mood today, well it's the North London derby day! who cares about the rest?
Since time memorial, everyone knows that today's fixture is one of the most treasured, decorated derbies, not only in English football but also in the world. The reason is best known: Each of these teams will forever play for the pride of their shirts, for the North London bragging rights and it's in these matches where, heroes becomes villains while rookies also escalate into the legendary class, in just 90 minutes of football!
All in all, no matter the hype that surrounds these fixtures, we all know who has held the mantle of pride and color; THE ARSENAL! .
From a 2 year old toddler to a 20-year-old man, none of them has yet lived to narrate Spuds dominance over the mighty Arsenal, not in class, trophies or even the fans' passion.
In fact the only story they live to tell is the harsh truth that: Arsenal enslaved the spurs minnows between March 19, 2000 and January 22, 2008 where sir Wenger condemned them to a record 21-match unbeaten run, well with a number of trophies won at their small, shady home turf.
Aston Villa massacre
Even when spurs 'attempted' to act classy with their failed twitter troll on us, we not only sparkled Emirates stadium with our 5-star performance, but we simply fired a stern warning to Eriksen fc. Didn't we?
Allow me to use the numerical '5' in my post match analysis: 5 wonderful goals against Villa, scored by 5 different players in a 5-star second half performance. Again, beware Tottenham.
Starting in his first EPL game in a long period, Ozil again produced one of his best and complete performances in an Arsenal shirt.
His clever flick to set up Giroud's goal was outstanding , not even the fourth officials expected that. A one touch display which saw Per select his German counterpart before he released the now 'pacey' Giroud, is subject to a court hearing, because it's not allowed anywhere to tear up a struggling team in a split second!
Ozil not only set up Giroud, but the pair again worked their magic to repay each other's efforts, when Giroud chose to not pick Theo on the right , but settled for the charging Ozil down the left, and the result was an exquisite left footed goal, to make it two three goals for the club's record signing in all competitions, and his second in the league.
Walcott who played a huge rule in the second goal, also was the engineer behind his own goal. Cutting down the left wing , Theo sliced the ball to Cazorla before the England international intercepted Cazorla's pass towards Giroud and he did no mistake with his well curved goal past the old guard, Brad Guzan to light up the Emirates roof in celebrations.
His was a paid gamble and a profitable risk which yielded astounding results, making it his second goal in two matches since his return.
Cazorla also turned from a provider to a scorer, thanks to Arteta's absence, which no Gooner is complaining. After Wenger opted to rest Giroud, his replacement in Akpom, took less time to impress, when he won a penalty courtesy of a clever run after collecting Ramsey's looping pass.
Cazorla who had earlier seen his effort denied by the bar, smashed an unstoppable penalty into the net, off Guzan's face to make it four as well as his fifth goal from the spot in six games.
Cazorla's goal not only killed Villains career but it ignited the midfield which was evident with the number of forward forays the players made from the middle of the park.
The little Spaniard wrapped up a superb evening with a superb assist, which saw 19-year-old Bellerin score his first senior goal for the Gunners, making him the 13th Gunner to score in the league this season in just 23 games.
Since Wenger trusted Cazorla in that No.10 role, the versatile double footed sensation, has scored or assisted 42% of the club's goals in 10 BPL matches. In that 10-match spell, Cazorla has completed more passes than any other Arsenal midfielder, creating 28 chances for team-mates. Only Hazard can better that figure during the same period.
Today is Wenger's 700th BPL match in charge of the Arsenal, and what a better way to ice his achievement cake than with a super win over our bitter rivals, who have just watched us win titles, rip their stadium apart and take selfies in their white washed grounds as a living proof of how untamed we can be.
Let's smoke them off Arsene! Talking of smoke, Wilshere stirred the Gooner community when he was pictured holding a shisha pipe, just months after he was involved in another smoking controversy.
"I have spoken with him about that (smoking) and he is not a smoker," Wenger said. "He is of course sorry for what happened, It is down to him to master his life." added Wenger when questioned over the issue. The good thing is that Wilsh hit back at the controversy with a video of him working his arse off in a bid to return to full training, something which may have cooled off the gooners.
Arsenal head into the derby at the back of a 5 straight wins, with three consecutive league wins,since new year's defeat to Saints.
Ooospina once again proved to be Arsenal's new legend in the making with his fourth straight clean sheet between the sticks as he looks to bring back David Seamann and Jens Lehmann's golden memories in Emirates.
His has been a clean slate, with only numbers speaking on his remarkable self. In the premier league, since Ospina started Arsenal have scored 12 goals and conceded NONE! that's 385 minutes without conceding. Numbers don't lie, sorry Szczesny though we'll miss our in form selfie taker at WHL!.
Spurs have also been on a superb form, well thanks to three free kicks by their team manager, Eriksen. Mauricio Pochettino's men are in the Carling cup final and have already mounted a serious top four fight in the last few weeks, which has seen them lose just twice in 14 games. On the mightier side, Wenger's men have won a remarkable 12 times in the last 14 matches an early reminder to these guys that they should MIND the gap! dear spuds, your dreams of finishing above us will forever be just dreams.
Quick recap: The last time these two teams met at WHL, Legendary Rosicky scored an unstoppable cracker inside the first minute to bring down the lane and the travelling fans, owned the place with their loud chants which served as a sour reminder of how they will never match the class we got, even if we fielded our third best team. Remember these?
They were lucky to scalp a draw at the Emirates in September, but let them be warned, City tried that, and they were made to pay for the lack of respect in the return leg. Walcott, the guy who scores at will against them is back and on a resurgent run, we all know what to expect. Remember this?
So today's match expect ruthless football, sweat and blood with Arsenal coming hard at Spurs.
Danny Rose injured Theo, he should just be lucky that Adebayor might start and take all the boos on his behalf, nonetheless, he will be in for it. Both Theo and Cazorla will do what they do best, wiggle inside Spurs box and score at ease!
If Rosicky gets just 25 minutes with Akpom upfront, then we'll easily paint London RED! again.
North London is red, and a certain we'll make it a mega win on Wenger's 700th game as well as extend our unbeaten run to sixth straight win in all competitions. #COYG!!!!!! #FOYS mind the gap!
TEAM NEWS:
-Sanchez is still out but according the boss, he is well but he doesn't want to risk him.
-Wilshere is a week away, but Welbz might make a shock return today!
My predicted lineup:
MY THFCvAFC PREDICTIONS: Spurs 0-2 Arsenal. (Walcott, Cazorla)
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head-Arsenal won 1-0 at White Hart Lane last season, courtesy of Tomas Rosicky's second-minute goal. It ended a five-match winless streak away at Tottenham (D2, L3).
-Victory for Spurs would represent their 50th league win in North London derbies. This is the 156th league meeting.
-Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 32 Premier League matches against the Gunners.
Tottenham
-Tottenham are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home matches (W4, D2).
-Their only defeat in nine league matches came away at Crystal Palace on 10 January.
-Spurs have scored 20 goals in all competitions this calendar year, the most of any Premier League side.
-Tottenham have conceded a league-high six penalties in the Premier League this season. Opponents Arsenal have won the most (six).
-Christian Eriksen has scored nine Premier League goals this season, the most by a midfielder.
Arsenal
-The Gunners are on a five-match winning run in all competitions.
-In 10 Premier League matches since the start of December, Arsenal have scored the most goals (23) in the division and earned the most points (22).
-Arsenal are looking to secure back-to-back away Premier League wins for the first time this season.
-Arsene Wenger's side have not conceded a goal in their last three league games, their best run of the season.
-Theo Walcott has scored four and assisted three goals in his last six Premier League appearances against Tottenham.
IG/Twitter: @bryoshavin
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