Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - Preview and possible lineups

TEAM NEWS: 

Arsenal:

Having won in the recent league encounter between the sides, Emery's men will be full of confidence heading into this next North London derby. In particular, they have an extra boost with the tie being located at their home ground, the Emirates. 

While their incredible 22 match unbeaten streak may have come to an end to struggling Southampton at the weekend, but it should only provide the 'Gunners' with extra motivation to take the derby spoils for the second time this season. 

Regarding team news for this encounter, it is widely assumed that Unai Emery will put his faith in a host of youth players, so that he can hand a well earned rest to some of his senior stars. Therefore, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and possibly Nathaniel Eketiah, will be handed starts. 

Elsewhere on the field, the 'Gunners' face will miss the likes of Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, and Kostantinos Mavropanos, who are all injured. While Shkodran Mustafi faces a late fitness test before he can be involved in the tie.

Tottenham Hotspur: 

Pochettino's men will head into this tie with a point to prove, having fallen to defeat in the first North London derby fixture three weeks ago. That said, they will be full of confidence after a good start to the season, which was only boosted by their qualification to the knockout rounds of the Champions League last week.

In contrast to his counterpart, the Tottenham boss is likely to filed a stronger lineup, with many experienced faces, as he eyes silverware in the new year. 

Regarding team news, Englishman Eric Dier has recently been ruled out until January, after having his appendix removed. Likewise, Foyth, Sanchez, Wanyama, Aurier and Dembele also sit on the sidelines through injury. 

Yet in spite of defensive frailties for 'Spurs', they still have plenty of senior attacking talent in the squad, and are expected to put in a strong display on Wednesday evening.

PRE-MATCH MUSINGS...

Emery on derby atmosphere and a semi-final berth on offer:

"I think showing emotion is very important. I think football is emotion. And in a derby, maybe this emotion is greater. When you win it’s amazing, when you lose it’s horrible."

"I say to [the players] that, in every match, we need to respect the opposition. Against Southampton, against Tottenham, against Manchester United, against Huddersfield, it’s the same. This respect is by playing with a big motivation and a lot of excitement to win against them."

Pochettino on derby revenge and United links:

"Tomorrow we play another derby [at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-final] and I think all the people understand that we are focused on delivering our best job tomorrow.”

"After nearly five years as manager of Tottenham, there are a lot of rumours that happen in my position here,” he replied. “I cannot answer this type of question because this type of rumour happens in this business, in football. "

FORM GUIDE:

DID YOU KNOW?

In the first match up between the sides this season, Arsenal took the bragging rights, as they came from behind to beat Tottenham 4-2 at the Emirates at the beginning of December. 

Tottenham have not won at the Emirates since 2010. 

In the League Cup, Tottenham have only ever won three matches against Arsenal. The 'Gunners' have had the advantage in the other 10. 

POSSIBLE LINEUPS:

Arsenal: Cech; Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Koscielny, Maitland-Niles; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Ramsey; Lacazette

Tottenham Hotspur: Vorm; Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Foyth, Davies; Winks, Skipp; Son, Alli, Lucas; Kane