Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Match Preview
Tottenham host Arsenal at White Hart Lane, and their seventh League Cup encounter is expected to be fiercely contested. A desperate chase for silverware is on for the both clubs, with Spurs looking more aggressive for the tie having announced the team will play several senior players, while Arsenal will likely field a reserve side.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp could debut new Dutch signing Rafael van der Vaart in the Carling Cup, to play alongside first team players Roman Pavyluchenko and Niko Kranjcar. Arsenal’s policy of giving their inexperienced players a chance at cup competition will worry Gunners fans currently low on morale now that several stars are out injured.
Untested Arsenal players will see this as a chance to audition in front of manager Arsene Wenger for first team play. Tottenham’s squad selection positions the club as favourites heading into the derby, and home pitch advantage will have Spurs fans expecting nothing less than victory. A win for Arsenal will only reinforce Wenger’s belief in his approach, and bring lesser known players to the forefront.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Match Report
Arsene Wenger’s decision to break with tradition and field a strong Arsenal side away against Spurs in Carling Cup was rewarded with a 4-1 result .The Gunners manager was serving a one-match touchline ban at White Hart Lane, but his squad selection showed the Frenchman is intent on winning the tournament this year.
Arsenal took the lead in the 15th minute after Henri Lansbury guided the ball into goal from the box. The Gunners were without injured midfielder Cesc Fabregas, but young Jack Wilshire was able to fill void throughout the match. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp brought on Robbie Keane early in the second half, and the forward beat keeper Lukasz Fabianski with an easy goal from 18 yards.
Two penalties minutes apart in extra time stunned the home crowd. The fouls were committed by Spurs defenders Sebastien Bassong and Steven Caulker, and their errors were punished by Samir Nasri who took both penalties. His teammate Andrey Arshavin scored from a quickly taken free kick in the 105th minute.