What do you get when you take the traditional drama associated with the F.A Cup and coalesce it with the regular fireworks that exists in the North London Derby? Whatever will be the result of such an incendiary mixture, we all will be witnesses to it this evening. The bitter rivals have been drawn to face each other in the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time in 12 years in this competition. In that period, the Gunners have won the trophy 3 times while Spurs haven't even been in the Latter stages since 2012 when they were battered by Chelsea in the semis. Both teams have had relatively remarkable moments thus far in the 2013/2014 season. While Arsenal are current league leaders with 20 games gone, spurs are 6th and smarting from a season of ridicule after seeing large scale investments in players only lead to heavy defeats 6-0 vs Mancity, 3-0 to Westham and 5-0 vs Liverpool ( both at home). AVB the manager in charge at the start of the season has been the first casualty of those setbacks and has been promptly replaced by Tim Sherwood. Results have slowly improved for them ever since he came in, no thanks to him realizing what a helmet Soldado is in front of goal and drafting Adebayor to fill in as the Top striker. A confidence boosting win against an embattled Man united going into this tie with Arsenal should make them a bit more Adventurous with self belief.
For us we have been decimated by injuries lately, Bendtner, Gibbs, Giroud, Ramsey are certified out. Ozil will be assessed but he is regarded as a doubt also. Grapevine has it youngster Gideon Zelalem will be started, he is one that has attracted a lot of praise recently and today provides a chance for those of us who haven't seen him in action to do so. My concern for this game lies in the attack though. In the absence of Bendtner and Giroud and also with the knowledge of Podolski's inability to play upfront on his own what format will the boss adopt? Walcott has always canvassed for this top striker role, but we have not been convinced in any way that he can shoulder that responsibility. Could we possibly go twin striker style with Poldi and Theo? It remains to be seen. better leave it at that for now with this preview. The action will be interesting as it always is with Derbies, but its anyone's guess how the added verve of Cup drama will add to it. C'mon Arsenal
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