The Premier League is set for the season’s first North London Derby, as Tottenham host Arsenal in a game that could shape their seasons.
Ange Postecoglou will want nothing less than a victory over bitter rivals Arsenal when the two sides meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. The Australian won plaudits for having Spurs play exciting football, but this campaign is the real test of his credibility.
Having overseen a loss in the North London Derby at home last season, Postecoglou has yet to taste victory in this fixture. Some might argue that amid the absence of certain players from the Arsenal squad for this game, Tottenham might have an excellent chance to have an upper hand. However, only time will tell if the Australian manager can inflict pain on his north London counterpart.
The Spurs fanbase might have been in a confident mood given the settings of this game. But that is probably not the case, given how their team has started the season. While Tottenham vividly improved their attacking brand of football, results continue to evade them after a draw, win, and loss to start this season. The North London derby will be a stern test for them and Postecoglou, as it could shape their campaign from here on.
Mikel Arteta’s new signing will certainly boost Arsenal’s chances ahead of the North London Derby, although the Spanish manager will need more than that to overcome their bitter rivals. Arsenal enjoyed a solid start to their campaign after back-to-back victories over Wolves and then Aston Villa. But they stuttered at home against Brighton due to a combination of a controversial red card and missed chances.
In truth, Arteta will not be worried about their form as such, as Arsenal have clearly played in second gear in the games so far this season ahead of the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The big worry for the manager would be missing a host of crucial stars in the North London derby and the crunch games after that, which will see them travel to Atalanta and Manchester City.
Arsenal have shown their dominance in these fixtures over the last couple of years. Ever since their loss at this venue in the 21/22 season, the Gunners have won here in their next two games and remain unbeaten in four North London Derbies. Whether they come into the next one as favourites like all four remains the question, which will surely be answered on Sunday.
Team News & Tactics
Tottenham Hotspur
In the last few days, Ange Postecoglou has been sweating on the fitness of key players on his side, and it appears he has received a massive boost from the return of essential personnel. Defender Micky van de Ven and striker Dominic Solanke have resumed training, and there is a big chance the pair could start against Arsenal on Sunday.
There are still significant doubts about Richarlison, who could eventually be ruled out of the contest, and the same goes for Yves Bissouma. Postecoglou did not definitively rule out the Mali international from the North London derby, but that could be the case when the teams are announced on Sunday.
Overall, Postecoglou will have a solid lineup to rely upon, with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr set to take their places in central midfield. Van de Ven’s return will see Tottenham have a sturdy enough backline with a familiar back four in place against Arsenal.
Should Solanke make it to the lineup, he will lead the line, with Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski supporting the former Bournemouth striker. Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson are Postecoglou’s options on the bench. At the same time, Radu Dragusin will be alert to the possibility of deputising for one of the central defenders should they face a problem during the game, especially van de Ven.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
Arsenal
The international break was not too kind to Arsenal, as their problems compounded over the two-week period. They were already dealing with the idea of Declan Rice’s suspension ahead of the North London derby, and now they could potentially miss two more key stars. There are also fitness concerns with another, Gabriel Jesus, who might still be assessed before a decision is made on his involvement.
Riccardo Calafiori suffered a ‘freak’ calf injury against France and could be touch-and-go for his first North London derby. Jurrien Timber might still start at left back, but some rumours suggest he could be used in Rice’s place in central midfield. The big blow came in the form of captain Martin Odegaard suffering a nasty ankle injury that will likely keep him out of this contest.
While Arteta has not explicitly ruled his captain out of the contest, the wider implications of that injury will likely see him miss this game and others. A late assessment will give a better picture, as current projections insist Odegaard could miss at least 3-4 weeks of action. With him and Rice set for absences, there is the chance for Jorginho to partner Thomas Partey in the middle in a double-pivot.
His absence does leave Arteta with a selection headache, as he has a big gap to fill in the lineup. There were rumours of teenager Ethan Nwaneri starting this game, although knowing Arteta, it is unlikely. Kai Havertz could come into that attacking midfield role and allow one of Leandro Trossard or Raheem Sterling to occupy the false-nine role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Sterling; Trossard
Key Stats
Tottenham have lost their last two home games against Arsenal.
Spurs have never lost three in a row at home to Arsenal.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four North London Derbies in the Premier League, winning three of those games.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games.
Bukayo Saka scored home and away goals against Tottenham in the Premier League last season. A goal on Sunday will make him the third Arsenal player to find the back of the net in three consecutive North London Derby appearances, after Emmanuel Adebayor and Robert Pires.
Player to Watch
Kai Havertz
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The former Chelsea man had a fantastic time with Germany during the international break. While he scored only once from the penalty spot against Hungary, his overall contributions in the attacking third caught the eye. Havertz has massive versatile qualities that will let Arteta use him differently in this north London derby.
Should Martin Odegaard miss out, the German is expected to feature as a No.10 in this tweaked system for this game; Havertz can perform at the highest level. He will be critical to Arsenal’s chances in this game, as he can dictate the attacking play with his presence and cleverness in the final third.
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Arsenal
Tottenham and their fanbase might feel this is an opportunistic time to face Arsenal, given the critical injuries to their rivals. However, there are doubts whether Spurs have what it takes to trump their North London rivals on Sunday, but they do stand a chance given their home advantage and critical returnees.
Arsenal will miss critical stars for this encounter, but they do have the quality in depth to cover for those absentees. The Gunners still have a solid enough defensive setup to stop Spurs attackers, and their players in the final third have the capacity to make the difference. On paper, this game is poised to be tight. But in truth, the Gunners are likely to take three points.