By Myles Palmer
This morning I thought it would be Grimandi in midfield.
I reckoned Arsene would rest Van Bronckhorst and go with Parlour-Grimandi-Vieira-Pires.
Why? Because he needs Grimandi’s head to help defend set pieces and crosses.
But as the day went on, and I discussed the game with friends who phoned, I began to tell them that Freund isn’t good enough to get within three yards of Pires, so Arsene might play Pires in a centrefield position.
Arsene will want to play Parlour against Ziege, who is coming off two play-offs against Ukraine. OK, the second one was a walkover.
Arsene does not want to go to Spain on Tuesday off a defeat.
Most managers would play for a draw in a tough derby like this but Arsene is different.
He doesn’t know how to play for a draw and he doesn’t have the defence to play for a draw.
He prefers to win games.He prefers to go for it.
So if Freddie Ljungberg is fit enough to give him an hour. I think the manager might start the Swede on the left.
Because Freddie can make runs onto Bergkamp’s passes, and that will be what is needed, especially against three centrebacks.
Ashley Cole and Ledley King live on the same street, so this game will be fun for them.
SOL CAMPBELL?
Once every 10 years I agree with Big Ron Atkinson and today is that day. He says Bryan Robson’s first great game for Man Utd was at West Brom.And he reckons this game could kick-start Sol’s Arsenal career.
He might play a blinder and then go from strength to strength, as Bryan Robson did.
For Sol, Arsenal have to win this clash for his move to make sense.
Sol will get horrific abuse but he can handle it. I think he will play well.Or very well.
If Spurs win they go above Arsenal and that would send a signal to the rest of the Premiership that the Gunners are on the slide.
For the first time in years a majority of Gooners are saying they would settle for a draw.
They are apprehensive. So am I.
16th November 2001