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· Read the preview for the first game here!
· Read the full report of last week's game here
· NEW! - See the current injury list for all Premiership Teams!
Full History of Cup results
- Spurs v Arsenal :-
FA Cup
Season Rd H/A Result Scorers
48-49 3 A 0-3
81-82 3 H 1-0 Crooks
90-91 S/F W 3-1 Lineker 2
Gascoigne
92-93 S/F W 0-1
00-01 S/F OT* 1-2 Doherty
(*OT = Old Trafford)
Lge Cup
68-69 SF/1 A 0-1
68-69 SF/2 H 1-1 Greaves
80-81 4 H 1-0 Ardiles
83-84 3 H 1-2 Hoddle (p)
86-87 SF/1 A 1-0 C Allen
86-87 SF/2 H 1-2(aet) C Allen
86-87 SF/R H 1-2 C Allen
06-07 SF/1 H 2-2 Berbatov, o.g
Last week, after Arsenal dragged themselves back from a two-goal deficit, Spurs fans felt quite despondent, to say the least. As often happens, by the time the second leg arrives, optimism starts to creep in. Whether or not that is fake optimism remains to be seen, and we'll know tomorrow night!
Arsene Wenger has stated that he will again field a younger side. He has been quoted as saying he will rest Fabregas, who was the undoubted star of the first leg. We are told that Baptista is doubtful, and that despite their potential shortages, Henry will again be rested.
How much of the information that has been put out, or that has been interpreted by the press is to be believed, we just don't know.
We do know that the game is more crucial to Spurs than to Arsenal, who, let's face it, are once again on course to finish in the top four and carry on amongst the Champions League elite. We so much want our team to break into that four-team club, but it looks as if last year is as close as we'll get for a while. Perhaps next year!
In the meantime, Spurs desperately need UEFA qualification, and they'll fight every corner available to them to do it. I'd take losing at Wembley to Man Utd, Chelsea or this lot, but in the meantime, we must hope that the Spurs team want Cardiff as much as we do.
Of course, by utilising his developing players, Wenger is ensuring that the players representing Arsenal will need no extra motivation, as a Cardiff Cup Final will be just as appealing to them, as glory on a higher plane might be to their seniors. We can look forward to a game as competitive, fast and entertaining as the first leg.
Gilberto Silva is available for Arsenal, after suspension. Adebayour may partner Aliadiere up front. Hleb got injured last week, and is not available, and Eboue and Djourou are concerns for the home team. Some players who had to tough it out against Bolton on Sunday will have to play here - notably Almunia, Senderos, Toure and Hoyte.
Allegedly, Dimitar Berbatov is a definite non-starter, and Mido has also had a back problem. We might have Keane and Defoe starting in front of Lennon, Jenas, Zokora (or Huddlestone) and Malbranque. At the back, Chimbonda was rested on Saturday, so will play, with Ricardo Rocha likely to get a first taste of the North London Derby next to Michael Dawson, because Ledley King has yet to recover from what we now know is a fractured metatarsal.
When Spurs failed dismally at The Emirates in December, Jermaine Jenas made a second half appearance in an attempt to return from injury. Spurs were more resilient in that second half as a result, but then Jenas was missing till last Saturday's game, when he made an impressive return.
Against any Arsenal team, fitness comes to the fore, coupled with skill and movement. Okay, that's the ideal against any team, but we know the gooners have those attributes at every level. At least Spurs are going to be able to match the gooners for two out of the three, and if we can show the necessary desire, then, who knows, we could get a result. We DO start on a level playing field.
At the end of the evening, we Spurs fans will have to endure the ultimate in joy or pain. My heart of course tells me it will be joy, but my head says the result tomorrow might be a 1-1 draw which sadly would send the young guns to Cardiff, because of Baptista's away goals.
Whether it is to be joy or pain, my report might be delayed!
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