Arsenal and Tottenham clash in the first of two North London derbies this season. While Spurs have been spending and building their squad ahead of the departure of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, Arsenal have chugged along making uninspiring free transfers and losing key players to long term injuries.
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Preview and TV schedule
The first North London Derby of the season is here and getting a leg up on a bitter rival is the goal of both the Gunners and Spurs.
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More from our team blogs: Arsenal blog The Short Fuse Tottenham blog Cartilage Free Captain
All that won't matter one bit though -- at least in the short term -- is Arsene Wenger can guide his squad to another win over Spurs.
It won't be easy though for Arsenal who despite looking better in their last few games, are desperately thin at spots on the pitch. They will be boosted by the return of Laurent Koscielny from suspension but not having Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain available is definitely a blow.
Spurs likely won't have their three big new signings -- Vlad Chiricheș, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela -- available just yet but there will still be plenty of firepower in the lineup for Andre Villas-Boas. Gareth Bale is not expected to play with his long, drawn out move to Real Madrid likely to be completed on Monday.
The last two matches between the clubs played at the Emirates have both finished 5-2 with Arsenal winning both.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Thomas Vermaelen (back), Mikel Arteta (thigh), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Abou Diaby (knee).
Tottenham injuries and suspensions
Out: Gareth Bale (pending transfer), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (fitness), Emmanuel Adebayor (fitness) In Doubt: Aaron Lennon (foot).
Arsenal still have plenty of injuries to deal with as Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diaby remain out with long term problems. Vermaelen and Arteta are inching closer to fitness but will remain out for this week. Aaron Lennon is still struggling with a foot problem and will be a game day decision. Gareth Bale won’t play as he awaits the finalization of his transfer to Real Madrid.
Projected lineups
Arsenal: Wojciech Szczęsny, Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertersacker, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Tomáš Rosický, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott, Mathieu Flamini, Olivier Giroud.
Tottenham: Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Michael Dawson, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Étienne Capoue, Mousa Dembélé, Aaron Lennon, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli, Roberto Soldado.
Match Date/Time: 11 a.m. local, 4 p.m. ET
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: NBC Sports Network (U.S.), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.), TSN (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra (U.S.)
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