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The 4th big test of the season for Arsenal is underway as they host the mighty Spurs at the Emirates. After failing to win against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in their first two games and only grabbing a point against Liverpool, Arsenal will look to go all out against Spurs.
The North London Derby has always been exciting and thrilling to watch. It is filled with passion and drama, and it is not going to be anything less this time. Tottenham sits 3rd on the table, 3 points above Arsenal. If the Gunners grab a win, they will reach 3rd on the table on goal difference, and this would be a chance Unai Emery and company would not like to miss.
Arsenal has been consistent and pretty impressive this season. Arsenal is unbeaten in their last 18 games across all competitions, which is the highest by any team in Europe's top five leagues. It is safe to say Arsenal have immensely improved under Unai Emery.
Arsenal has lost only once in their last 25 Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspurs in the Emirates, and this was back in 2010. Both Arsenal and Tottenham have conceded plenty of goals this season, with their goal difference on the same level (12).
It is going to rain goals at the Emirates and there are four reasons why Arsenal are likely to outscore and outperform their neighbors, Spurs.
#4 The problem of fatigue
With the Champions League games finishing just a day ago, Tottenham is likely to start nearly 6 of their first team players who started the game against Inter Milan on Wednesday. At the same time, Arsenal played a fully teenage team against Vorksla in the Europa League, with only Aaron Ramsey, Mkhitaryan and Petr Cech above 20 years of age, and they still registered a 3-0 win away from home.
Spurs' players have just 3 days time to recover back to normal, and this will be a big test for Mauricio Pochettino. His team selection for the game will be where the match can be won.
The first team Arsenal players have got a whole week to themselves to rest and freshen up for the North London derby. The problem of fatigue will probably be visible in the Tottenham players after 30-40 minutes of playing.
#3 Unai Emery's tactics
Unai Emery is one of the best learners there is. Being a Spanish manager, he does not believe in winning the game with physicality or luck. The matches are won in the coach's mind even before the whistle.
Emery tends to study his opponents thoroughly before stepping on the pitch. He had a 3-man defense for a physical team like Bournemouth, a 4-2-3-1 wide for a team like Liverpool, and the list goes so on.
His tactics change from game to game, and this has incredibly helped the Gunners to extend their lead to a staggering 18 games in all competitions. Tottenham is known for utilising the space left behind by the defenders of the opposition team. The likes of Son and Lucas Moura can outrun any defender with ease, and Poch exactly knows how to defend them.
So we're yet to see if Unai Emery prefers a 3 man defense once again, or goes with his normal 4-3-2-1 formation, with Mustafi and Holding at the back.
#2 Aubameyang and Lacazette's terrifying form
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 5 of his last 8 Premier League goals at home, and Alexandre Lacazette has been a clutch in big games. The duo has managed to outscore their opponents on several occasions, and the pair is just getting better.
Aubameyang leads the Premier League top scorer's list, with 8 goals to his name alongside Aguero, who is also at 8. His conversion rate has been incredible and his positioning is world-class. The former Dortmund player has successfully continued his insane form from Dortmund here at Arsenal, and the Gunners are very happy with his contribution.
Alongside Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang have always troubled their opposition and they haven't finished a game yet with no goals. When they play together, a top performance is something standard.
The game promises to be goals galore, and Aubameyang might just have his best game of the Premier League so far. You never know.
#1 The lethal double pivot of Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka
Unai Emery has preferred a double pivot in the midfield for almost the whole season, and his tactic has absolutely paid off. The likes of Torreira and Xhaka have played a very impressive role as two CDMs, and they have always protected the back line.
Xhaka is 3rd on the list of the players with the most passes, and that explains us more about the speciality of 'Emery-ball'. Torreira, on the other hand, has the most interceptions and recoveries this season in the Premier League.
Torreira has turned out to be a fan-favorite for the Gunners, and he is just getting better with time. At the young age of 22, he is arguably better than several other defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and he is yet to unleash his true self.
Xhaka and Torreira have formed a robust partnership playing together, and they have set the North London side ablaze.
