Skip to content
Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur. Carabao Cup Semi-Final.

Emirates StadiumAttendance53,136.

Arsenal v Tottenham preview

Image: Eduardo: Hoping to keep up good form

Arsenal face London rivals Tottenham in the Carling Cup semi-finals for the second year running.

Watch Arsenal v Tottenham live on Sky Sports 1

Arsenal face London rivals Tottenham in the Carling Cup semi-finals for the second year running. The Gunners came out on top last season despite falling 2-0 behind inside the opening 20 minutes of the first leg. They battled back to win the tie in extra-time and will be hoping to make it through to the final again, which will be held at Wembley this year for the first time since 2000. Arsene Wenger's side have been in fine form once again in this season's competition, seeing off Newcastle, Sheffield United and Blackburn in previous rounds.

Djourou to start

Wenger has promised to keep faith with his youngsters for the first leg against Spurs, meaning there should be chances for the likes of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and left-back Armand Traore. Johan Djourou will start alongside Philippe Senderos at the back, while Theo Walcott, Denilson and Abou Diaby are set to feature in midfield. Robin van Persie has recovered from injury but may have to settle for a place on the bench as Wenger is unlikely to break up Nicklas Bendtner's partnership with Eduardo da Silva up front.
Defensive worries
Tottenham have improved under Juande Ramos but remain in the bottom half of the Premier League, and will almost certainly view the Carling Cup as their best route into Europe. They have been involved in some thrilling games over the festive period but will be wary about their leaky defence ahead of the trip to Emirates Stadium. Ledley King is at least fit to play but Younes Kaboul is doubtful and Gareth Bale, Anthony Gardner and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are all out. Didier Zokora is also unavailable after linking up with the Ivory Coast squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations, while Tom Huddlestone begins a suspension. Tottenham have not struggled for goals but speculation persists over the futures of Jermain Defoe and in particular Dimitar Berbatov. Ramos started with both players in the quarter-final victory over Manchester City and may choose to do the same again.

Around Sky