Could be very interesting - FA Cup: GUNNERS v SPURS

[Karl]

FA Cup Preview: Arsenal - Tottenham

.

Goal.com
By Peter Hanson
7 hours ago

Two of the FA Cup's most successful sides meet on Saturday when Arsenal hosts north London rival Tottenham in the third round.

Manchester United has won the competition 11 times, more than any other team, but the Gunners are just one behind on 10 and Spurs sit third on the all-time list with eight.

The last major trophy that Arsene Wenger collected was the FA Cup in 2005, following a penalty shootout victory over Manchester United, but Arsenal is pushing to finally add to its honor roll this season, sitting top of the Premier League after three straight victories, giving the club a total of 45 points after 20 matches.

Arsenal's latest triumph came in a 2-0 win over Cardiff City on New Year's Day, courtesy of late goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott, and the England international believes that a never-say-die attitude can help his side end its trophy drought.

"If you want to win titles then you have got to go to the end and the thing about this team at the moment is that we never give up," he told reporters. "Every game that we win, the belief gets stronger and stronger."

Tottenham is also in good form heading into the clash, with new boss Tim Sherwood overseeing three wins and a draw in four Premier League matches at the helm.

A 2-1 victory at Manchester United on Wednesday was particularly impressive and leaves Spurs just two points adrift of the Champions League places.

Forward Emmanuel Adebayor has played a key role in Tottenham's resurgence under Sherwood, including scoring the opener against United, but faces a battle to be fit to face his former side after being taken off on a stretcher against the reigning champion.

The two sides last met in the competition at Old Trafford in April 2001, with Arsenal winning 2-1 to reach the final. The Gunners also triumphed over Tottenham at the last-four stage in 1993 before going on to complete an FA and League Cup double.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/fa-cup-...0364--sow.html

[Karl]

GUNNERS Gedion Zelalem in TEAM?

Arsène Wenger is considering calling on the latest Arsenal wonder kid, Gedion Zelalem, for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur .


Zelalem is not 17 until Jan 26 and has yet to sign his first professional contract with Arsenal, but could be part of Wenger’s squad for the third-round visit of Spurs.


The gifted midfielder has already been on the substitutes’ bench, against Spurs and Fulham in the Premier League early this season, but was then sidelined for two months through injury.


He returned for Arsenal Under-21s in November and an impressive performance against Manchester United Under-21s on Dec 20 convinced Wenger to promote Zelalem to train with the first team again.


Wenger has injury problems in midfield, with Aaron Ramsey out, Mesut Özil unlikely to be risked and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still not ready to make a playing return. Jack Wilshere played two games in four days against Newcastle and Cardiff, and may need a rest.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...s-Stadium.html

[Karl]

Emmanuel Adebayor is coming for GUNNERS?!

Tim Sherwood has warned Arsenal that former striker Emmanuel Adebayor is coming for them in Saturday’s FA Cup north London derby.


Adebayor was carried off on a stretcher with cramp in the New Year’s Day victory over Manchester United, but has declared himself fit to face his old club at the Emirates.


Spurs head coach Sherwood has compared Adebayor’s impact to that of United’s Wayne Rooney and claims Arsenal will have been hoping he would be missing.


“I think if Arsène Wenger saw Adebayor going off at Old Trafford, I’m sure there were a lot of pleased Arsenal fans, management and players,” said Sherwood. “But, unfortunately for them, he’s going to be walking out against them.


“There are certain players when the teamsheet comes in you scan down and see if they’re playing.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...rs-attack.html