Kieran Gibbs faces a fitness test after having a knock in training but hopefully he will be ready to resume his position at left back. With Coquelin out injured, Gibbs would be important to the shape of the side. Vermaelen at left back unbalances the team and with the pace of Adebayor, Bale and Lennon in the opposition side, we could do with two quick center backs playing together. I think Vermaelen and Koscielny would be a very good pairing, especially at home where we are on the

Massive, massive game coming up this weekend. I am pumped for the North London Derby. So much so that I am writing this preview early this week. There will not be a black bin bag in sight as Premier League Tickets for this clash will be in huge demand.

There are we simply no excuses for our players, we have had a weeks rest, are relatively strong in terms of availability (especially for us) and should want to get revenge for our defeat at White Hart Lane back in October.

Kieran Gibbs faces a fitness test after having a knock in training but hopefully he will be ready to resume his position at left back. With Coquelin out injured, Gibbs would be important to the shape of the side. Vermaelen at left back unbalances the team and with the pace of Adebayor, Bale and Lennon in the opposition side, we could do with two quick center backs playing together. I think Vermaelen and Koscielny would be a very good pairing, especially at home where we are on the front foot.

Johan Djourou looked shaky at the Stadium of light and he will need a much better performance than that against Emmanuel Adebayor if Gibbs does not make it for the game.

The game could be won and lost in midfield which sounds remarkably cliche but the offensive and defensive work of Alex Song and Mikel Arteta will be key for Arsenal. Alex Song in particular has gone off the boil in the last few weeks and it may not be any coincidence that our form has dropped since Mikel Arteta has lost his way lately. Those two as well as Tomas Rosicky who could drop deep when we are not in possession may be up against Scott Parker, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart and that makes for an interesting battle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if our two central midfielders were not quite as adventurous as usual as they keep an eye out for the Tottenham counter attack. It was a counter attacking goal from Gareth Bale that started the Tottenham come back last season at the Emirates.

It will be interesting to see which positions Bale takes up. He has been very well shackled by Bacary Sagna for the most part in these clashes. This season has seen him take up more central positions, so the deeper midfield will be very important.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled out of the fire for this one and the fresher Theo Walcott brought back into the side in his place, although I would like to see a front three of Gervinho, Chamberlain and van Persie given another chance but this time on a better surface against a side that are likely to be more offensive minded.

What I hope for beyond any of the good football and passing moves is real fight and commitment. I want the players to act like it is a proper North London Derby. That has been a little lost in recent years, the supporters still feel it but I am not sure that the players feel it the way they used to.

Setting the tempo early with good pressing of the ball could get the crowd on side and in this type of game that could be very important.

I don’t want to contemplate defeat to this lot again but a victory could really kick start the side into finding some form.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

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