Arsenal vs Tottenham Preview | Team News Update | Expected Line-Up’s | Prediction

Arsenal and Tottenham lock horns at the Emirates Stadium this evening with both sides looking to book their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. 

The Gunners will be desperate to get back to winning ways after seeing their 22-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt end with a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday afternoon.

Tonight’s game is the perfect opportunity to bounce back and Unai Emery will be keen for a repeat of the score-line the last time these two clubs met as he emerged victorious from his first North London Derby after Arsenal came from behind to beat Tottenham 4-2 earlier this month.

However, Tottenham will be looking to avenge that defeat at the Emirates and build on recent positive results against Leicester, Barcelona and Burnley that have seen them climb to third in the league and book their  place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Mauricio Pochettino will also be keen to book their place in the last four of the Carabao Cup as Tottenham haven’t won a trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2008 so the Spurs boss is under pressure to end that drought.

Team news

Arsenal are not expected to risk Hector Bellerin after he picked up a calf injury against Southampton while Sead Kolasinac will miss out with a thigh problem meaning they join Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck, Emile Smith Rowe and Dinos Mavropanos on the sidelines.

Sokratis is back from a ban while Shkodran Mustafi will need a late fitness test on a hamstring injury but he’s unlikely to be rushed back too soon. Laurent Koscielny is likely to drop out after playing two games in four days.

Mesut Ozil is pushing to start after making his return from a back injury while Aaron Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Alexandre Lacazette, Petr Cech and Carl Jenkinson could all feature.

Tottenham will be without Jan Vertonghen after he was ruled out until the New Year with a thigh injury while Eric Dier is missing after having his appendix removed.

However, Juan Foyth is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury while Davinson Sanchez could also be in the squad. But Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Serge Aurier remain out.

Harry Kane has emerged as a fitness doubt after missing training on Tuesday with a cold but I still think the England hitman will start tonight.

Expected Line-ups

Predicted Score

Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham: The Gunners were excellent in the league game a few weeks ago, especially in the second half, so they’ll be full of confidence despite their defeat at Southampton on Sunday. However, Tottenham are always going to cause Arsenal problems due to the quality of their squad and I think they’ll have the best side on paper this evening. Much could depend on the fitness of Kane but I think we could see a 2-2 draw which would send the match to penalties. Then, it’s a lottery.