The Football Manager series is widely regarded as the world's most realistic football management sim. Using its comprehensive game engine the Arsenal.com team attempted to predict what MIGHT happen in Saturday's North London derby at Emirates Stadium.
We made some assumptions about the two teams and the tactics they MIGHT adopt - for example we have assumed that Thierry Henry will play.
Below is a short match report of how the virtual simulation unfolded.
Football Manager 2007 - Arsenal v Tottenham - match report:As the jubilant masses departed Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon a familiar chant boomed around North London.
A rasping 53rd-minute drive from the inspired Cesc Fabregas was enough for Arsène Wenger's side to defeat Tottenham and ensure the bragging rights belonged to their ecstatic supporters.
The home side made their intentions clear early on and Paul Robinson had to be alert to palm away Emmanual Adebayor's powerful header. Fabregas blasted wide on 18 minutes and the industrious Tomas Rosicky was unfortunate to see a long-range effort curl over soon after.
Adebayor limped off after a collision with Michael Dawson after half an hour but a lively performance from his replacement Theo Walcott ensured Wenger's side remained in the ascendancy.
Eight minutes after the break the pressure finally paid off. Benoit Assou-Ekotto's half-clearance fell kindly for Fabregas allowing the Spanish midfielder to dart into the box and lash past Robinson.
Dimitar Berbatov skewed Tottenham's best effort wide on 58 minutes before substitute Mathieu Flamini headed against the bar following a sweeping move involving Fabregas, Henry and Walcott.
Walcott picked out Flamini once more in the dying seconds but the Frenchman's effort flew inches over the bar. It mattered little. It stayed 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Did you know that Football Manager 2007 for the
Xbox 360 and Football Manager Handheld 2007 for
PSP are both out now!
Football Manager Handheld 2007 sees many new
features added making it easier to use, navigate and control.
Taking a huge step forward with the inclusion of such features as
international management and multiple scouts, there are now many
new leagues from across the world to choose from including Portugal
and Australian leagues. Network play has also been included in
Football Manager Handheld 2007 and players can now
play friendly matches against their friends or compete with
strangers via wifi.
The Xbox 360 version of Football Manager 2007
makes a dash forward from the previous Xbox 360 version with new
features including Xbox Liveâ"¢ Vision camera
support, an Xbox Liveâ"¢ "Fantasy Draft"
mode. There are 50 achievements that will challenge both new and
old players of the series and most importantly, an easier to use
control system making the overall game much easier to play.
