Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title continues as Mikel Arteta’s outfit travel to N17 to take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners were held by Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, squandering a two-goal lead to the team sat rock bottom of the English top flight. This result leaves chasers Manchester City just five points behind the league leaders with a game in hand, with the momentum seemingly starting to shift towards Pep Guardiola’s side.
Spurs come into this specific North London Derby in a dire state, having won none of their last eight league matches – a run that has subsequently left them languishing five points above the relegation zone. New boss Igor Tudor will have to contend with 13 senior absences for the visit of Arsenal, and thus, Arteta’s men should be capable of strolling to a resounding victory.
Here are the key battles that we believe could be pivotal in dictating the outcome of the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Bukayo Saka vs Djed Spence
Bukayo Saka was deployed in a central role against Wolves, and while he performed admirably from an individual standpoint, the ploy from Arteta didn’t really work holistically. Thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Spaniard revert to type and select his best player in his natural position.
Spurs will be without Pedro Porro, Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies, meaning Djed Spence is likely to start at left-back. Spence has coped with Saka well in the past, preventing the Gunners’ talisman from beating him consistently throughout games.
If the Lilywhites’ defender is able to neutralise the 24-year-old wide man in this game, then Arsenal’s primary threat will be shut down. This could, in turn, prevent the Gunners from creating the volume of chances required to dispatch of Tudor’s team.
| Bukayo Saka’s statistics this season (all competitions) | |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Shots per 90 | 2.8 |
| Expected Goals per 90 (non-penalty) | 0.29 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.29 |
Eberechi Eze vs Joao Palhinha
Eberechi Eze was the difference maker in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in November, and he could be key again in this clash. The Gunners were able to find Eze in dangerous positions on the edge of the box on several occasions – an area you don’t want to leave a player of his calibre free – and it ultimately paid dividends.
If the number ten can evade Joao Palhinha’s surveillance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then he could get similar joy in this fixture. The Portuguese midfield is the defensive anchor who protects Spurs’ back four, but Eze has the intelligence to find space in the pockets to negate the former Fulham man’s robust activities in the middle of the park.
It could easily be another derby day for the Englishman to remember.
Jurrien Timber vs Xavi Simons
Spurs don’t have much in the way of threat with the current options at Tudor’s disposal. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are all unavailable, and thus, a lot rides on Xavi Simons’ creativity.
The Dutchman will likely be deployed off the left, and it will be up to him to find moments to hurt Arsenal, with Mathys Tel and one of Dominic Solanke or Randal Kolo Muani likely to be selected alongside him in a feeble attack.
He’ll be up against his international teammate, who is starting to wilt physically, having played so many minutes this season. If Simons can find a single moment to get the better of Jurrien Timber, that could be detrimental for Arsenal, in what is likely to be a relatively tight affair.
