Pre-Match Nerves

I don't think any Arsenal fan needs to eb told how much our game against Tottenham tomorrow means. The rivalry between the two clubs is intense and shows no sign of waning, despite what could be described as a significant inequality between the two teams; it is almost 10 years since Arsenal lost to Tottenham in the league and if defeat is avoided tomorrow, the entire of the 'noughties' will have passed by without the Lilywhites enjoying league victory over Arsenal.

Those statistics perhaps present a skewed representation of the two teams' respective positions; whilst most would still describe Arsenal as the strongest team, Spurs have begun well this year. This seems to have gone to the heads of some of their players; Robbie Keane going so far as to claim that Tottenham have a stronger bench than Arsenal (just for the record, I make Arsenal's bench, if everyone is fit, Fabianski, Eboue, Gibbs, Djourou, Denilson, Walcott, Eduardo).

My head is telling me that we really should get a win at the Emirates tomorrow, we are in fairly good form, have few injury concerns and our squad looks strong. The only real area of concern is in goal, where I expect Almunia to be recalled. Though his early-season form was shaky, I hope that the time he has spent on the sidelines will have helped him to refocus. Alternatively, his confidence could be irrecoverably shattered, but this seems highly unlikely! Tottenham have a weakened team, without their most prolific striker and two most creative midfielders (Defoe, Lennon and Modric), but this does not mean that they will not present a challenge.

Despite this, I am decidedly nervous about the game. Whether this is because of our recent late lapses against West Ham and AZ Alkmaar, the nature of our goalkeeping situation or just general pre-derby nerves is unclear. Logically, as long as we avoid the basic errors we have made in the past (Clichy falling over in front of Jenas in the corresponding fixture last season, Mannone sending Diamanti's free-kick straight out to Carlton Cole last weekend) we should be able to secure all 3 points. However, something at the pit of my stomach is telling me it won't be quite that simple!

Mr predicted line-up for tomorrow goes as follow:

Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Fabregas, Diaby, Arshavin, Van Persie, Eboue.

In my opinion there are two keys to victory tomorrow. Firstly, the team need to press Tottenham's midfielders in order to prevent them playing accurate long passes forwards and be very quick to pick up on the second ball from headers won by Peter Crouch, the frankly freakish but very effective forward. Harry Redknapp has already outlined the kind of football Spurs will be playing tomorrow and as Crouch has at least a 6-inch height advantage over either of our centre-backs and can be expected to win most balls that come to him in the air. If we act to prevent these balls coming in and pick up the pieces when they do we should be able to stifle a Tottenham team that looks lacking in midfield creativity without either Lennon or Modric.

The other priority should be to prevent the Spurs defence from settling. They have a reputation for being porous defensively and with the attacking riches available to Wenger tomorrow this should be achievable. If we line up as I expect, both Arshavin and Eboue have the pace and skill on the ball to get the better of the leaden-footed Corluka, who looks like the weakest point of the Spurs backline. If we are able to make him, and thus the rest of the Tottenham defence uncomfortable then not only will we be able to score goals, we will also deny them a platform on which to build attacks and threaten our goal.

So there we are, just over 12 hours before kick off, and Gooners around the globe are nervously and excitedly anticipating kick-off. Come on you Gunners!