Hi ya’ll as promised by Green Gooner, this is Slim with my first pre-match analysis, and my luck, the first being the North London derby. In truth derbies defy any form of analysis. But we’ll do what we will, so here goes….

In the run up to this fixture last season, the tall dude from Togo and captain Cesc Fabregas had promised the Arsenal faithfuls a game and result fit for the DVD collections. We did get a game fit for a DVD colletion, but for the results, erm…I’d rather file it under lessons in not letting the opponents come back into the game. Funny how we were just taught the same lesson again last week by another London derby.

In the final minutes of the game, Fabregas had received the ball somewhere in the middle of the park, and probably in an attempt to fulfil his promise seeing that the game was still at 4-3, he sought out the Togolese with a long pass. In retrospect, wrong decision, cos then the Spuds had the ball back in their possesion, and, what would we have, Modric hit a shot that went off Aluminia’s upright came back into play for Lennon to tap in for an equalizer. Moral of the story? Never try to pass the ball to the Togolese. Simply put he is a piece of….sh…Ok, off track, I’m here for the pre-match analysis.

Often at derby matches, pre-analysis, statistics and what not fly out of the window. All is left to watch and manipulate your emotions with are 22 men who seem to attack the game as if they have forgotten one and every mangerial instruction and are possesed by spirits of derbies past. The last time Arsenal met Tottenham, at White Hart lane, Eboue had a rush of blood to the head, and was consequently shown the approprioate color by referee. Forcing Arsenal into a defensive game to hold out for a goal-less draw.

In the last London derby played last weekend against West Ham, Arsenal gave up a 2 goal lead to draw the game 2-2 at full time, leading analysts to point out the complacency in the team and the inabilty to kill off or see through games in which opponents threaten resurgence after going down to Arsenal’s superior attack. Quite positively manager and players alike have identified this, not necessarily as a chronic problem, but as an issue that has to be dealt with and consciously taken care of if the need arises again. Especially as it had occured against AZ Alkmaar in the UCL mid-week before the West Ham game.

Interestingly at this point of the season Arsenal has won as many matches, drawn as many matches but have lost one less than the Spurs albeit with a game in hand. Interesting because at this stage last season, Tottenham couldnt even buy a win, while Arsenal where on a fumbling start to a very inglorious season. In as much as we might disagree, the Gunners go into this fixture against a better performing side than they met last season.

Arsenal, in the EPL has a 100% home record this season, seeing off oppositions with wide goal margins, the least return being 3-1 against Birmingham. In midweek, playing with a majority of second stream players, the team more than held theirs by defeating a resurgent Liverpool side 2 goals to 1.

The first came from an awesome 20 yard strike by Fran Merida that careened off the right upright into the back of the net while the second came off the left foot of Nicklas Bendtner after a series of neat passes. Returnee keeper Lukazs Fabianski however also contrived to let in an even more fabulous left footed strike from Emiliano Insua. In that game Arsenal also employed the services of Samir Nasri playing his first game this season after sustaining a long term injury in pre-season training. Also back in the starting lineup was Eduardo after coming on as a late susbstitute in the draw against West Ham.

It will be interesting to see how Arsene Wenger lines up his team against Tottenham come Saturday. With Mannone showing glimpes of inexperience, Fabiansky and ‘former’ number one Almunia also fit to play, who goes between the sticks on Saturday, like the date of the rapture, is known only to Wenger. We expect to see the usual backline of Sagna, Gallas, Vermaleen and Clichy. In midfield Cesc would assume his rightful place, alongside Song, I’d expect Wenger to go for Diaby ahead of Nasri not entirely cos of full fitness but as Diaby’s height offers defensive size in the middle of the park. In attack Arshavin who has been talking up his first derby action having sat out the last fixture as a substitute should start on the left of the 3 man attack, Van Persie in the middle while Eboue or Bendtner takes up the last slot on the left.

So far the Spurs possess the most impressive away record in the premiership this season, winning 3, drawing one and losing 1 of their 5 away matches. They come in to this game on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Everton in the Carling cup. However they will be prosecuting this game without their leading goal scorer Defoe who still serves his suspension after being sent off against Portstmouth in their last away win in the EPL.

Media darling Harry Redknapp will look to get the North London derby spirit going, claiming 4 goals in his first acting as enough incentive. With the availabilty of gangly striker Crouch and the pace of Aaron Lennon, it will be expected that a number of high balls will be coming into the box from both set pieces and breaks down the right if allowed. Captain Robbie Keane, who incidentally has a good scoring record against Arsenal has been talking up the match. He indicated in his own opinion however that the teams are now more evenly matched than previous occassions. The game play on Saturday would indicate if this statement is true.

Deja Vu or Vu Deja: I write this pre-match analysis exactly one year to the day when the thrilling 4-4 draw was played at Emirates last season. The sunday before that we had gotten to play West Ham. In that particular game Arsenal defeated West Ham 0-2 away only to return home in the next game to give up a 2 goal lead to draw Tottenham. Last week Arsenal gave up 2 goal lead to draw West Ham at Upton park. If Arsenal does beat Tottenham by 2 goals it will be as close you’ll get to a reverse deja vu wont you say?

So look ye all forward to another definitely more than sure to be interesting North London derby…lot of qualifiers there eh?!!!! To the RED AND WHITE ARMY!!!!!

PS: Fabianski is reportedly out out with a 3 week thigh injury! Get well soon Pole, we need you in pole positions between the poles

******Above analysis done by slimshay for The Green Gooner.