North London Derby Preview: Who will play in goal? 30 October, 2009

It’s difficult for me to hype up a game like this. We all know what to expect. There’s nothing particularly at stake, except of course a huge amount of pride. A loss for either side wouldn’t be the end of the world for their league campaign, yet it is still not an option. A win against Spurs is always a massive boost, if it’s not just the points it the laughing at their misery.

Last year they had one over us, we didn’t manage to beat them in either fixture – it was 0-0 at their place and of course the infamous 4-4 at ours. Payback is due. That four-all draw was a year ago yesterday but still fresh in the memory. Spurs fans will love this – but it hurt real bad, we cannot afford to repeat that again.

We’ve been making a habit of throwing away leads in recent games. Wenger’s been speaking about the problem and makes reference to fixture last year. As long as they remember how much it hurt and remember to be focused and switched on I do not expect it to happen again.

We have to be solid at the back for the full 90 minutes. The ‘keeper also needs to be on high alert at all times (I’m not having a cunt like Bentley crack one in from 40 yards again). We don’t know who’s going to be in goal tomorrow yet, Wenger does but he didn’t think to share that information with us. Fabianski is injured again so it’s a straight choice between the rookie Mannone and the experienced, but out of form Almunia. It’s a tough decision and I can’t really call it. I think Vito would have his name written all over it if he hadn’t made those mistakes in the last couple of games but it’s brought Almunia back in the frame.

If it were up for me, I’d go for Manuel. In a game like this you want mature and experienced players who can keep their head. It’s not like he’s a rubbish goalie all of a sudden, he just had a few poor games this season. We all know he can perform and if he’s given the nod tomorrow I’d expect him to give everything he’s got.

On the other hand, he hasn’t played in ages and this is a big game to bring him back in for. Wenger could go with Mannone who is comfortable with the current set up and has played the most games recently. Who knows what Arsene will do, we’ll have to wait and see.

There isn’t any fresh team news, just Wilshere, Walcott, Denilson and Rosicky continue to sit out. So here’s how I think we might line up:

Almunia
Sagna – Gallas – Vermaelen – Clichy
Song
Fabregas – Diaby
Eboue – van Persie – Arshavin

Nasri and Bendter are back now but I don’t expect them to start after the game in the week, so I think Wenger will chose Eboue on the right of that 3-man attack. I’m looking for a big game from Arshavin tomorrow, he’s been a bit quiet and a shadow of the player we’ve seen in the past. He likes the big occasions though and this is certainly one of those.

As for Spurs, Defoe and Modric are definitely out, also Woodgate and Lennon are doubts. Whatever team Redknapp fields they will be well up for it, of course they will. We’ll take no notice of who is or isn’t playing and do our best to try beat these lot.

They lost last week to Stoke and we had that disappointing draw with West Ham so both sides are looking to bounce back. We’re level on points too which adds an extra incentive, I hate seeing them above us in the table, thankfully it hardly ever happens.

I’m going up to London early tomorrow morning for the game and I can’t wait. It’s my first game in two months and I haven’t been this excited about going to Arsenal in a long time.

Just before I go I should announce the winners of the book competition I did earlier in the week thanks to Octopus Books. Cheers to everyone that entered, the answer to the question: According to ‘Gunners Lists’, in which year was our highest-scoring championship-winning season with 127 goals? was a] 1930-31. The winners are Derek Pritchard and Ronan McGrath, I’ve just emailed you to sort out getting those books out to you.

Sorry to everyone who entered and didn’t win, if you’re still interested in these great books get over to Octopus Books and get involved.

Right then that’ll do for tonight. Have a good Friday evening everyone but remember you need to get up early, get that Arsenal shirt on in the morning and watch the boys at 12:45pm. COME ON YOU GUNNERS!