Time to Take on Mr. Twitchy Potato-Head

Okay - so much a mid-week MLS update.  What can I say?  No excuses as I let time get away from me and my laptop.  So a quick International Round-Up and then it's onto the North London Derby preview.

First things first.  Guess who got injured during the International Friendlies Wednesday?  That's right - no one.  Is the world really flat after all?  In fact, Jack had to be dropped from the English squad because of a slight back problem that apparently has worked itself out in time for the match tomorrow.  I can't see us getting more fortuitous than that.  But wait - Robin Van Persie played 45 minutes for Holland - and didn't come away with any niggles, sprains, or strains.  In fact, the playing did his wonders for his match fitness as Wenger states he and Bendtner are now close to the same level.  This is November, right?  Notorious November? Nah.  Gibbs even came through unscathed.  The only players not fit for the Derby are Diaby, Almunia, and Vermie.  According to the injury update,  Diaby, Ramsey, and Almunia are back to full training.  The only one on hte outside looking in right now is The Verminator.  This has got to be a first.  Wenger is indeed going to have a headache picking the lineup for tomorrow.  How nice for a change.

Spurs - who are now in second  place...on physioroom.com (I wanted to make sure you were paying attention)  are without Bentley, Huddlestone, Keane, Santos, DeFoe just to name a few.  We have the advantage on several fronts.  We're playing with almost a full squad and have tremendous depth, we're playing at home, and we can rotate players.  Okay, the playing at home advantage hasn't worked out recently, but so what?  This is the weekend to put that aright.  We beat them on their turf 4-1 in September when they put out a "weaker" side.  Their strongest assets tomorrow are probably Bale, Pavlyuchenko,

and van der Vaart.  I think that like the Everton game, controlling the midfield will be important as well as not giving Speedy Gareth room to work up steam.  Which begs the question.  Who is going to start in the holding role with Song?  Denilson?  Or will Wenger put Jack straight back into the squad for some added "oomph" going forward.

Hard to say.  Deni did make a difference when he came on.  He stayed back while Song charged forward.  If we have no one watching the rear guard tomorrow, Speedy could catch us on the counter attack.  I think Denilson has earned a start.  Should be interesting.

Arshavin played all 90 minutes for Russia Wednesday which could mean he's really tired or finally match fit?  I look for Arshavin to be sitting on the pine while Theo starts.  Everyone seems to want to see the two former teammates on the pitch at the same time so why not?  If Twitchy just sits behind the ball then Theo will probably not have much of an impact.  Depends on the Spuds strategy I suppose.

If I were a betting man  person, I'd lay odds on Theo, Nasri, Denilson, Cesc, and Song with Chamakh up front and the quartet of Sagna, Squillaci, DJ, and Clichy in the back sitting in front of Mr. Fab.  Jack, Andrey, Van Persie, Bendtner, Szczesny, Rozicky, and Eboue on the bench.

I'm thinking we should come away with 2-0 win at home which will help to put to rest those pesky losing-on-your-own-turf -demons that have been hanging around our necks lately.  here's to a strong performance, a clean sheet, and another win over our lesser North London neighbors.  I'll be back later on Saturday with a post-match report.  Until then, remember -WE ARE THE ARSENAL!!