Tottenham Hotspur versus Arsenal in the Carabao Cup

Just three weeks removed from a North London Derby in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet again at the Emirates. This time a trip to the Carabao Cup semi-finals is on the line.

Despite a loss on Saturday to Southampton in the League, Arsenal is coming off of a 22-game unbeaten streak and seem to be in some form. Likewise, following the 4-2 defeat at the beginning of the month, Tottenham Hotspur is also unbeaten. This includes a big tie against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Whether you believe Tottenham should be all-in for the Cup or should focus on the League, we can all agree that everything goes out the window when we are facing Arsenal. So we have two teams meeting again, both in some form, but both with some injuries that could hamper festivities. Both teams also embark on the march to some silverware.

Tottenham and Arsenal Injuries

At this point in the season, few if any teams do not have any injured players. The question is who is out and when. Both Arsenal and Tottenham are fortunate to have strong academies and relatively deep squads, so despite injury absences and what will likely be heavy rotation on both sides, we should get a good game.

For Tottenham the injuries have piled up. Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier, and Vincent Janssen are all out of this match-up. Davison Sanchez, Juan Foyth, and Serge Aurier have returned to training but are unlikely to play as they are not in match shape. With the exception of Janssen, who hasn’t played this season, all of Spurs injuries are to the midfield and defense. While the side is a bit thin at wing back, we have seen that there is still talent on the shelf when it comes to the center of the park, so Spurs should be okay.

Arsenal, is facing just as many injuries and some to very key men. Aaron Ramsey, Danny Welbeck, Rob Holding, and Shkodran Mustafi are all out with no set return date. However, Mesut Ozil, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Sokratis Papstathopoulos (coming off suspension) may be available for the squad.  Additionally, Laurent Koscienly just returned to the team last weekend after an injury layoff.

Tottenham on the Field

Given the injuries facing Tottenham, the games they have played this month, and what is still on the schedule, we can expect some rotation. Beyond the injuries, word has come out that Harry Kane may be forced to miss this match with illness. If this happens, Spurs will be missing their talisman. Still, they have the players to take the day.

While Lloris has been on form, Paulo Gazzaniga is likely to see the field again for the first time since playing against Inter in the Champions League. He will likely be joined in the back by Kieran Trippier, a returning Davison Sanchez, Toby Alderwiereld (who missed the previous match), and Ben Davies.

More rotation is likely in the middle of the park, where we should see Harry Winks return to play along Spurs 2018-star Moussa Sissoko.

Once we get beyond the back 7 for Tottenham, this is where things get interesting. If Kane is out, who plays up top? Are we forced to watch Fernando Llorente stretch beyond what he can do right now or will Pochettino keep his good luck sub on the bench and favor Son up top? I’m putting my money on Heung-Min Son starting, along with Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, and Lucas Moura.

Okay, so maybe we are not going to get as much rotation as we think, but this is against Arsenal and we can almost smell the trophy. Now is NOT the time to hold back.

What to Expect in the Match?

This will likely be a physical battle, although I would hope the referee can do a better job of swallowing his whistle than in the last match-up between these two teams. With 32 fouls called, that meant 1 foul every three minutes. How can there be a flow to the game, when the most active person on the field is the referee. I’d like to think we hear less whistles today and players stop the diving, on both sides of the ball.

Beyond that, I expect the game to be up and down, these are two talented teams that don’t like each other. The question is- Who can be on the front foot and establish dominance of possession? The team that does that is more likely to create opportunities at goals.

Prediction Time

Spencer Sharpe

Tottenham 1-0

After the heated NLD in the league a couple weeks ago, this one in the Carabao Cup will be a much more low-key affair. Look for both sides to rotate and get some youngsters involved, especially with injuries on both sides. Spurs just edge the Gunners but it’s a close, sloppy 1-0.

Aaron Coe

Tottenham 3-2

Despite the recent match between one another, a couple of rotated sides will take a few minutes feeling each other out. From there, expect Tottenham to get on the front foot, much how they did against Barcelona. This time, however, the chances turn into goals and Spurs outlast the Gunners in a frenzied 3-2 affair.

Zaph Hutson

Tottenham 2-1

Even though Spurs have been through the wringer when it comes to injuries, they still have one of the best attacks in Europe. Defensively, it shouldn’t be a huge challenge for Sissoko, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, and whoever else Poch decides to put in to keep Arenal’s few threatening players quiet.