Two weeks ago, Arsenal were 10 points behind Sp*rs. A win against our neighbours tomorrow would close that gap to a single point and provide a huge boost to the Gunners chances of securing a top four finish.
It’s a scenario that Unai Emery has discussed with his players this week as they try and build further momentum heading into the final months of the season.
Facing the press ahead of the third North London derby of the season, Emery said: “Matches like tomorrow’s, the players know that it’s important for us because we want to get three points to improve in the table.
“Then afterwards, it’s special for the supporters. We are playing for three points and more tomorrow.”
He added: “We’ve been speaking about the opportunity and each match gives us the opportunity to win three points.
“Sometimes we can take the big opportunity like tomorrow because there were 10 points difference between us and Spurs two weeks ago. Now it’s four points.
“Tomorrow we are going to play together and it’s very important for both teams. It’s very different if you win or lose.
“This is a big opportunity for us to play with confidence in our moment, respecting them because they lost two matches but they are still having a very good season.
“We want to play with confidence and also free in our minds, with a focus on our game plan. All individuals can have this confidence.”
The stats are certainly against us. We’re winless in 21 Premier League away fixtures (drawn 7, lost 14) against other established top six teams since beating Manchester City 2-0 in January 2015. And we’re the only club not to have kept a Premier League away clean sheet in 2018-19.
“I think tomorrow is a very different match to other matches,” said Emery. “It’s not important about their moment or our moments, because both teams will play with motivation.
“It’ll be different for us because it’s away and more against their supporters. For us to prepare, it’s about thinking about the best Tottenham, and thinking we need to be strong going into the match tomorrow.”
Exactly. Hopefully the gaffer doesn’t squander it by playing the pensioner at RB
The ”pensioner’ as you so eloquently call him has actually been ok of late imo. What are the other options? Jenks? Too big a match for him and his skill set I think. AMN? He will get absolutely roasted by Son…
I think it has to be Licht. Now watch the Corporal have a masterclass tomorrow!!
Licht knows a Derby, but the whole reason jenks strives every game is because he is living the dream.
I’m actually not fussed who plays. Both are in relatively good form and although jenks is lacking in skill and stature compared to SL he does boast an understanding of the fixture and hatred of the enemy we all share.
True mate. I guess it also depends if unai wants to go with a back 3 or 4… If it’s 4 then I feel that Jenks can get exposed. Back 3 then ok as he can use his relative speed. Please no back 3….
jenks is a proper gooner…. Licht is a nasty fucker. Perfect!
Jenkinson is rubbish. Lost the ball SO MANY times against Bournemouth. Do not get your head clouded by imaginary qualities just because you think he is a gooner and needs support. Twice bc of Jenkinson, Koscielny had to make last minute emergency tackles. He is simply not of the standard at Arsenal. That Emery is using him is bc we are short on options at Rback with injuries and Lichsteiner being saddled with recovery issues on account of age. Otherwise Bellerin and AMN top picks. We should have also kept Chambers rather than sent him on loan and bothered with… Read more »
I guess we asked Lichtsteiner to play for us. He didn’t elbow his way into the team. So why this language? We invited him here, Emery picks him to play, so he’s a gunner. Fair and square.
Just go away fella
Back 3 or back 4? I’m wondering if he’s going to go with the back 3 to start and then switch like last game…
Lineup:
Leno
Kos Papa Monreal
Jenks Torreira Geun Kola
Ozil Mhki
Laca
Subs: Cech, Mustafi, Auba, Rambo, Xhaka, Iwobi
Or maybe a 4-2-3-1?
Leno
Jenks Papa Kos Monreal
Torreira Guen
Mhki Ozil Iwobi
Laca or Auba
Wow, tough decisions. Hopefully the manager gets it right and we keep the momentum going.
Xhaka starts. That’s why he was tested mid week. Emery said as much.
Rested.
It’ll be different for us because it’s away and more against their supporters. For us to prepare, it’s about thinking about the best Tottenham, and thinking we need to be strong going into the match tomorrow.”
Isn’t it away for them too? :p
Our away record doesn’t matter, because it is not an away game.
Does anyone know if the Premier League (or the FA, since they own the stadium) has the same limit on away supporters, even though it’s at Wembley and there would certainly be room for 10,000 or more?
They’ve had 80k+ V us and ManUre so I assume (!) we must have had 10k+ there? Good question..
I was going to write something clever. I can’t. Here is this:
FOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“It’s Lacazette down the flank… puts Trippier through on goal… TRIPPIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!
I SWEAR YOU’RE NOT GONNA SEE ANYTHING LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN!”
Can’t wait.
Massive game.
We can cut them down to just one point difference with 10 matches to go.
I hope we do it. MINIMUM we should be finishing above them in third and going for the Europa.
We need to set our standards high and at least try to achieve it.
………………………Laca…………………………
Iwobi……………….Ozil…………………….Mhki
…………..Granit………….Torreira…………….
Kolasinac…………………………………….AMN
…………….Sokratis……Mustafi……………….
………………………Leno……………………….
Our worst defender, Mustafi, in place of our best defender, Koscielny??
Leno Jenkins Captain Zeus Montreal Gwen Lil terror Rambo Micky Ozil Lacca I would go with either Licht or the Jenks considering virtually everyone’s been playing well recently, even Micky! but throwing the pensioner into the Derby away from home straight from the recovery room isn’t for me. +Jenks is one of us, he knows. Lacca won’t be so lonely at the top with Ramsey overlapping, Ozil Oziling and Micky being the Mack who returned, once again, pump up the world. Common! Oooh yeah! Wait, is “return of the Mack” old school yet? I digress… But i know the manager… Read more »
Leno
Kolasinac Monreal Koscielny Sokratis Jenks
Terreira Xhaka
Ozil
Iwobi Trippier Mhkitarian
Let’s go!
Two weeks? We were 10 points behind them on Sunday lunchtime. COYG!!!
We will win… 3-1. Lacazette and Aubameyang and Iwobi to score