Good evening lads. Hope you are all well.
Usually the excitement of facing our North London neighbours is palpable but after Wednesday night's shocker at Wembley many are fearful we will be on the wrong side of a spanking on Sunday.
We dont need reminding, Spurs were woeful against Leverkusen. We were error strewn in defence and if Bayer had been anywhere near clinical we would have lost by 3 or 4.
Our midfield gave the ball away continuously and our attackers were dreadful. Alli was too busy show boating, Sissoko ran after the ball well but when he caught up with it didn't know what to do, Eriksen was powder puff and Son then Janssen didn't make a decent run in behind their defence all night.
Only Vertonghen and Wanyama came away from the game with any credit, although in Vertonghen's case he plays for himself but can't lead the back line.
But, this was an unrecognisable Tottenham, we dont usually give the ball away like that, we usually dominate possession its just that we haven't been clinical and have drawn too many games.
Any side that is unbeaten in the Premier league is a good side. Aside from Sunderland, Hull and maybe Burnley every team is capable of beating their opponent and this is a team that beat and totally out performed the best side in the league in Man City only a few weeks ago. We werent the best side in the world then like we aren't the worst side in the world now, even though it might feel like it.
Unfortunately Alderweireld is still missing for Sunday and he will be a big miss and we could certainly do with having Lamela and Dembele available but at least we will have Harry Kane available from the bench. Make no mistake just having him in the 18 will help revitalise those around him.
Arsenal it pains me to say are a top side and in particular Ozil is in fantastic form but this is a derby and form goes out the window.
We are still a very good side and we have a manager that dosent tolerate weakness. He will make sure we enter the pitch on Sunday organised and aggressive and im confident we will prove the doubters wrong and come away with a result.
Lets have some positivity.
posted on 4/11/16
It was a scabby goal we conceded on Wednesday but that's not my worry. We have just been sucked of all creativity.
Our striker is not scoring goals. Our midfielders are not creating chances. They're also not taking the ones that come along.
You look at our rivals and they seem to find space in tight areas. Create chances from very little and manage to put them in.
Another worry is that this run will get our players in a negative mentality and spiral where they're shot of confidence and 'lose their way'.
posted on 4/11/16
Good article OP, but until the absolute full strength comes back together again, then I do not see too much improvement in performances. Arsenal are no world beaters, they have had an incredible easy run of fixtures last month, so a draw is certainly not out of the question, but need to apply themselves better than midweek.
posted on 4/11/16
Sandy you're proud of our teams unbeaten record in the Premier League so far. but Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 15 games in ALL competitions and actually won 12 of those.
You can't just disregard their 'easy' run of fixtures. They've only lost to Liverpool in the 4-3 season opener.
posted on 4/11/16
Arsenal are 12W-3D-1L
Spurs are 7W-6D-3L
It's going to be a tough game.
posted on 4/11/16
comment by Boss By Hugo (U18550)
posted 8 minutes ago
Sandy you're proud of our teams unbeaten record in the Premier League so far. but Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 15 games in ALL competitions and actually won 12 of those.
You can't just disregard their 'easy' run of fixtures. They've only lost to Liverpool in the 4-3 season opener.
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A great comment and common sense.................
Sandy won't get that!
posted on 4/11/16
I just don't get how we have gone from so fluent last year to do one dimensional this year. We just don't have many ideas going forward.
Sadly I don't think we will cope with missing Dembele, Toby, Kane and Lamela. Even if Kane is fit he won't be match sharp.
Arsenal are looking good. I'm hoping for a draw tomorrow, can't see us winning. Praying I'm wrong about all this!
posted on 4/11/16
comment by NotSoMagicJuande (U1913)
posted 10 minutes ago
I just don't get how we have gone from so fluent last year to do one dimensional this year. We just don't have many ideas going forward.
Sadly I don't think we will cope with missing Dembele, Toby, Kane and Lamela. Even if Kane is fit he won't be match sharp.
Arsenal are looking good. I'm hoping for a draw tomorrow, can't see us winning. Praying I'm wrong about all this!
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You mentioned the players missing, that`s why. Spurs have been shockingly average past three seasons when anything bar the best XI is on the pitch. The Man City game being a one off.