While Tottenham have enjoyed a massively successful run as of late, Arsenal have continued to be the up and down club we have seen all season and they will look to make a statement in the North London Derby on Mar. 3, 2013.
The Gunners have some of the best players in the league, however, it seems that they just cannot always have a good day all at the same time. Strong performances seem to give hope to fans and that is then followed by more frustration by a club that has the talent level to be in the top four easily this season.
Arsenal's biggest flaw has been their defense. Tottenham have had one of the highest on-target averages for shots this last month with 13 against West Ham ending in a victory for Spurs. Arsene Wenger's defense will have to be spot on all afternoon to ensure they have a chance of shutting down the long range efforts of Gareth Bale as well as the growing confidence of Spur's players in the box.
However, despite their recent let downs the Gunners have 13 points from their last five English Premier League matches and will take heart in having come from behind in each of the last two North London Derby's to win them both 2-5 and 5-2.
Bacary Sagna will miss the action for the Gunners, but rising star Carl Jenkinson is believed a worthy stand-in while Abou Diaby continues his injury woes once again this season. Nacho Monreal is expected to be in place of injured Kieran Gibbs as well.
Projected Arsenal Starting XI: W. Szczęsny; Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal; Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere; Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski; Olivier Giroud.
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