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After the last international break of the calendar year, the Premier League teams emerged from the tunnel last week, looking to keep up their momentum. The biggest game last weekend was a London derby in which Tottenham purely outclassed Chelsea.
Fast forward a week and the stakes have been raised a touch with Spurs travelling to their eternal North London rivals, Arsenal. The pair has indulged in numerous unforgettable battles over the past. Last season, Arsenal beat Tottenham at the Emirates while Spurs exacted revenge with a 1-0 win on the hallowed Wembley turf.
Both teams head into the encounter on the back of some encouraging form. The Gunners have been unbeaten in their last 18 matches whereas Spurs find themselves on the right side of a six-match winning streak. With the teams on a collision course come Sunday afternoon, something has to give.
As Emery and Pochettino get ready to pit their wits against each other, there are several questions up in the air:
Will the Unai Emery era deliver its first victory over a top-four rival or will it be a case of ‘Same Old Arsenal’?
Can Spurs keep up their impressive form and steal a march in the race for the Champions League spots or will they be consigned to a dog-fight for those places?
With such intrigue surrounding the clash, it is imperative that we look at some of the battles that could determine the outcome of the war.
Thus, through the lens of this article, we would look at those match-ups across the pitch and how they can help shape the outcome of one of the most hotly-contested derbies in the world.
#3. Arsenal’s Centre Backs vs Harry Kane
After playing four at the back in his first 12 league games, Unai Emery sprang a surprise by fielding three at the back at the Vitality Stadium. Sokratis returned from injury to take his place at the centre, with Holding and Mustafi either side of him.
Though the formation was designed to keep the Bournemouth counter-attack at bay, one can expect Emery to switch to a back-four come Sunday. The 3-4-2-1 formation led to the Gunners losing a bit of control in the middle of the park, with Xhaka and Torreira often getting outnumbered.
While his reverting to a back-four looks certain, the personnel that he eventually chooses to deploy remains up in the air. Holding has impressed this season and should expect to start on the left side of central defence.
On the other hand, Sokratis was outstanding against Bournemouth and would represent the ideal option to tackle the goal-scoring machine, Harry Kane.
After a sluggish start to the campaign, the Englishman has rediscovered his scoring boots. Against Chelsea, he scored to lend weight to his ‘Derby’ tally, while he was a constant menace against Inter Milan in mid-week.
With Erisken and Son in top form, one can envisage Kane getting into scoring positions to finish off flowing moves. However, that is exactly what Arsenal’s central defenders must fight tooth-and-nail to avoid.
Kane is as prolific as they come and his record against Arsenal isn’t bad either. The likes of Sokratis would need to get physical against him and deny him the space to create as well as score. Additionally, Kane’s aerial prowess would have to be taken care of.
Spurs are heavily reliant on their star man performing well and if the Gunners can keep him quiet, it would go a long way in establishing North London supremacy. Thus, it is as important a battle as any on the pitch and one that could very well end up shaping the outcome.
#2. Aubameyang and Lacazette vs Spurs’ Centre Backs
Since signing for the Gunners in January, Aubameyang has lived up to his reputation of being a reliable goal poacher. In the current season, he sits atop the scoring charts, with 8 goals. Despite the Gabonese’s red-hot form, Arsenal would be sweating over the fitness of his partner-in-crime, Lacazette.
After his return from a knee injury at the back end of April, Lacazette has formed a brilliant partnership on the pitch with Aubameyang. The duo enjoys playing together and their camaraderie is clearly on display in games. In addition, the Frenchman acts as the perfect foil for Aubameyang, courtesy the former’s excellent hold-up play and vision.
If the two start for the Gunners, the Spurs centre-backs are going to have their hands full trying to contain them.
The prospect of facing the devastating duo above is not an easy task. Thus, Spurs would’ve been delighted with the return to fitness of their defensive rock, Vertonghen. The Belgian, along with his countryman, Alderweireld forms a solid partnership at the heart of the defence.
However, the only weakness they seem to possess is against pace. With Aubameyang and Lacazette possessing that attribute in abundance, one can expect them to give Spurs’ defensive partnership a headache.
Spurs, on the other hand, would want to make the game as physical as possible and defend deep in order to minimise the Gunners’ pace threat. Additionally, they would try to reduce the space in between the lines, the space Lacazette likes to roam into.
On Sunday afternoon, one of the meanest defences in the land would go up against one of the most exciting strike partnerships in the country. It makes for an intriguing watch and unsurprisingly ranks as a battle to look out for.
#1. Lucas Torreira vs Christian Eriksen
While both teams can boast of top-drawer marksmen, the difference-maker could yet be one of their diminutive midfielders.
Lucas Torreira has been a revelation since his arrival from Sampdoria. The Uruguayan boasts of all the attributes the Gunners midfield had been missing in previous years: tenacity and tactical astuteness. He has transformed their midfield and made them less susceptible to counter-attacks.
Moreover, Torreira’s distribution has made him fit like a glove in Emery’s philosophy. With the latter’s tendency to deploy the ‘double pivot’, the former’s different facets have meant an increased edge in the middle of the park.
However, on Sunday afternoon, the Uruguayan might just be in for his toughest test yet: Christian Eriksen.
Erisken is the heartbeat of Spurs’ attacking brand of football. Blessed with the ability to pick any defence’s lock, the Dane thrives in big games. The attacking midfielder is the creative hub that supplies the ammunition for Kane and Son to fire.
In previous seasons, Erisken has enjoyed the freedom of the Arsenal midfield. However, come Sunday, one can expect Torreira to not allow him a moment’s peace on the ball. These aspects make the battle as fascinating as any.
Can the Uruguayan, who has charmed everyone with his authority in midfield out-think the Dane or will Eriksen boss the North London Derby like he has done on so many occasions?
All the answers will be provided on Sunday afternoon, when the two big guns aim fire at each other. At this juncture, your guess is as good as mine.
Only one can emerge victorious and one gets the feeling that this battle of midfield maestros would eventually end up tilting the match.
