Wenger drops Wilshire for Spurs tie

Arsene Wenger has made the surprise decision to replace Jack Wilshere with Alex Song in Arsenal’s midfield for tonight’s north London derby at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners boss has dropped Wilshere to the bench after a run of 13 straight Barclays Premier League starts which has left the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year tired.

Bacary Sagna comes in for Emmanuel Eboue at right-back while Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has recalled Peter Crouch in place of Aaron Lennon.

Rafael van der Vaart is expected to shift to the right flank, leaving Crouch to partner Roman Pavlyuchenko up front.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch.

Subs: Cudicini, Kaboul, Lennon, Defoe, Bassong, Sandro, Pienaar.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Walcott, Fabregas, Diaby, Nasri, van Persie.

Subs: Lehmann, Ramsey, Squillaci, Wilshere, Arshavin, Gibbs, Bendtner.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)