We got the better of them in this fixture in the beginning of the season but the situation was very different. Tottenham boasting half a new squad of players were supposed to show everyone about the 2013 version of the powershift. Arsenal without any new players aside from Flamini were uner big pressure after an opening day defeat to Villa but Giroud flicked in a Theo Walcott cross that won us the three points. Today we are top of the league and Tottenham have gone through yet another management change. But while perceptions on the two teams have changed, Tottenham’s new boss and Arsenal supporter, Tim Sherwood has started very well aside from a league cup home defeat to West Ham.

3rd round of the FA Cup you don’t really expect to face our dear little neighbours Tottenham Hotspurs but that is what the hat has thrown out.

We got the better of them in this fixture in the beginning of the season but the situation was very different. Tottenham boasting half a new squad of players were supposed to show everyone about the 2013 version of the powershift. Arsenal without any new players aside from Flamini were under big pressure after an opening day defeat to Villa but Giroud flicked in a Theo Walcott cross that won us the three points.

Today we are top of the league and Tottenham have gone through yet another management change. But while perceptions on the two teams have changed, Tottenham’s new boss and Arsenal supporter, Tim Sherwood has started very well aside from a league cup home defeat to West Ham.

I don’t expect much in the way of rotation from Tottenham, I think they will go as strong as possible and build on their excellent result at Old Trafford although they have a few injuries of their own to deal with coming into the game.

There is talk of Gedion Zelalem making a start but I just cannot imagine that, it would make more sense to see him on the bench especially as he missed the league cup run with injury.

I wonder how Arsene views this game given our position in the league and our current injuries we will see by the line up I guess.

If Arsene was to bring in Zelalem, Gnabry and Ryo for example then it’s pretty clear that the cup is a long way down on the list. Mesut Özil has been training so he will be involved in some capacity.

We are currently without Diaby, Chamberlain, Ramsey, Giroud, Bendtner and Sanogo.

Wenger hinted that a couple players are close to the red zone and given the amount of games that Mertesacker and Sagna have played, you have to wonder if those two will be rested. It seems likely. In fact if I was a betting man, especially Sport betting I’d put a few quid on it for sure.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up:

To be honest I have no idea what the manager is thinking. Serge Gnabry could start because he has not had many minutes in recent weeks so Theo Walcott may not even start. Will Arsene want to start Flamini and Arteta together again? I am not sure. Arsene also suggested that it was unlikely that Özil would feature but given that he trained he could well be bluffing. Perhaps he will start on the bench.

There is basically a hell of a lot of guess work and it will be interesting to see what team the boss throws together.

Tottenham has gone with a four man midfield since Sherwood took over so it will be interesting to see what happens there against our interchanging midfield. Harry Redknapp tried that once at the Emirates and got swarmed all over in midfield and lost 5-2. No, the other 5-2. But Tottenham played it at Old Trafford and Adebayor dropped into midfield whenever they lost possession so that is one area to watch out for. We will have to watch out for the Tottenham wide areas where they are likely to have a lot of speed. Monreal hasn’t always dealt with speed so it will be another interesting battle.

It is rather cliche and obvious but I will say it anyway, I reckon the team that want this the most will win on the day. I have a strange feeling that it will be Tottenham as much as I don’t want to say that out loud but I’d clearly love my gut feeling to be somewhat misplaced today.

Hoping for an Arsenal victory but even more than that an Arsenal victory with no Arsenal casualties will make me a happy chappy.

Come on the Arsenal.