Strap in. It’s almost time
Kick-off is just a few moments away. The Emirates is bouncing. Everyone’s nervous. Maybe even me.
As one returns for Spurs, another is injured
Tottenham Hotspur will have Brazil forward Richarlison available for Wednesday’s Premier League clash away to north London rivals Arsenal, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Tuesday.
Richarlison has made only seven appearances this season and has not featured since Nov. 3 because of a hamstring injury.
Richarlison.Credit: Getty
While his return to the squad is a boost for injury-hit Tottenham, German forward Timo Werner has been ruled out with a hamstring issue picked up during the unconvincing 3-0 FA Cup third round victory at Tamworth on Sunday.
“The only one who picked up an injury (against Tamworth) was Timo,” Postecoglou told reporters. “It’s a hamstring injury and we’re waiting on the results of that scan. In terms of incoming, Richy is available.”
Tottenham have won only once in their last eight Premier League games and that was against bottom club Southampton.
Injuries to the likes of defenders Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario have hit hard and Tottenham are 12th in the standings ahead of the derby.
Arsenal, who lost to Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, have also been hit with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Reuters
Ange’s influence knows no bounds
Jack Draper, the British No.1, fought his way into the third round of the Australian Open, facing down a boorish home crowd and taking inspiration from Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.
Draper was repeatedly booed and jeered by boozy Australian fans as he twice came from a set down to defeat home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis in a raucous John Cain Arena.
Draper took great pride from his victory, a 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 barnstormer that lasted four hours and 35 minutes, making it the longest match of his career.
Jack Draper.Credit: AP
After sealing his win with a forehand winner, he applauded the hostile crowd and then performed a slow 360-degree turn on the spot, eyeballing the fans and giving them a thumbs-up gesture.
“I enjoy it, to be honest,” Draper said of all the hooting and jeering, which often happened after he had missed a first serve.
Ange Postecoglou.Credit: Getty Images
“At the end of the day it’s a bit of fun. I was watching a few of the Premier League [examples] with the FA Cup. Everyone getting on [Ange] Postecoglou’s back the other night [against Tamworth], and he just stood there taking it.
“It’s good sport. It’s entertainment [and] it gave me a lot of energy. I appreciate that.”
The Telegraph
Poll: Who you got, then?
Here are the starting XIs
First, Arsenal. They’ve made four changes to the team that fell to Manchester United in the FA Cup mid-week, with Raheem Sterling handed a rare start out wide.
And here’s Tottenham. Five changes made by Ange Postecoglou, and this looks to be pretty much their best-choice XI right now – but both sides have been wrecked by injury of late. Speaking of which, Richarlison is on the bench for the first time after two months out with a hamstring tear.
Morning, folks
Good morning. Welcome to our live coverage of this morning’s huge Premier League clash. It’s Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium – another edition of one of the world’s fiercest derbies. Kick-off is at 7am AEDT.
I’m Vince Rugari, and I’ll be guiding you through the action.
There’s more than just bragging rights on the line here.
Arsenal need three points to stay in the title race and ideally gain some ground on top-placed Liverpool, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest yesterday.
Spurs need the three points to improve their current ladder position of 13th, which is … really bad.
And Ange Postecoglou needs the three points to keep his many critics, inside and outside the club, at bay. He’s not won a North London derby yet in his year and a half in charge. Now would be a great time to get one over their most hated rivals.
