Event of the Day: Arsenal versus Tottenham Hotspur - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Our event of the day is the Quarter-Final of the Carabao Cup taking place between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium. The bitter north London rivals will do battle once again tonight, having already met last month in the Premier League, on that occasion Arsenal came out 4-2 winners. However, with the hectic Christmas schedule well and truly underway in English football, both Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino are likely to rotate their squads in order to preserve their players’ fitness. Wednesday’s hosts finally saw their 22-game unbeaten run come to an end last time out as Southampton shocked the Gunners with a 3-2 victory. Despite Sunday’s disappointment, Arsenal have been granted the perfect opportunity to bounce straight back to form on Wednesday evening with a north London derby. Many would give Emery’s side the advantage, not least because they’ve already got the better of Spurs once already this season, but they also have the home support that could give them an edge in what will be a lively affair. 

As for Tottenham, they have been on a sparkling run of form lately, with that defeat to Arsenal being their only loss in their last 11 games. Tottenham’s path to the Quarter-Final has not been so straightforward, however, as they had to rely on a penalty shootout in the third round to see them topple Premier League rivals Watford. Pochettino has undoubtably transformed this Tottenham side who can now expect Champions League football every year. However, the only thing missing from the Argentine’s CV is a trophy and he should see the Carabao Cup as the perfect opportunity to bring silverware to Tottenham for the first time in a decade. It should be a thrilling game at the Emirates today.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Big Bash cricket clash between Brisbane Heat and the Adelaide Strikers at The Gabba in Brisbane, Australia. The game will be the sides’ first of the season and both will be desperate to get off to a flying start, as the Adelaide Strikers look to make their bid for back-to-back Big Bash League titles. Elsewhere in the world of sport, there is a host of NBA action today with the Philadelphia 76ers hosting the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center, where the 76ers have already won 14 times this season. The other Carabao Cup Quarter-Final will take place tonight between Chelsea and Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge, with the winner entering the hat for the Semi-Final draw. Finally, in the NHL, the Washington Capitals welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Capital One Arena, as the hosts go in search of their sixth straight win.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by Tottenham; Arsenal

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