Tottenham vs Arsenal - 5 players to watch out for | Premier League 2020-21

Both managers will be looking to win the North London Derby
Both managers will be looking to win the North London Derby

After two contrasting starts to their Premier League campaigns, Tottenham host Arsenal on Sunday for the first North London Derby of the season. Jose Mourinho's side will look to take advantage of their rival's faltering form and move to the top of the table. While Mikel Arteta needs to stop the rot, as Arsenal haven't won any of their last 3 Premier League outings.

Tottenham have been in fine form, having not lost in the league since the opening day of the season, as Jose Mourinho's side boasts the league's best defense. Arsenal however have been out of sorts, currently languishing in 14th place on the table. Mikel Arteta has a huge task ahead of him if he is going to take anything away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Recently, Arsenal haven't had much joy in the North London Derby, having won only one of the clubs' last five meetings. But Mikel Arteta will be looking to get one over Mourinho, who has never lost to an Arsenal side at home in their previous ten meetings, winning six and drawing four.

Both teams will have injury concerns, as Tottenham and Arsenal face off on Sunday. Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is a big doubt for the game, but Mourinho's biggest worry will be the fitness of star striker Harry Kane. The Portuguese manager expects the Englishman to be fit after Kane missed training on Wednesday and did not travel with the squad to Austria, as Spurs drew 3-3 with LASK in the Europa League.

Mikel Arteta will be sweating over the fitness of Ghanaian international Thomas Partey. The deadline day arrival picked up a thigh injury in the first half of Arsenal's game against Aston Villa. Partey hasn't featured in Arsenal's last four games, but Mikel Arteta remains quietly confident that the midfielder could well make an appearance on Sunday. Another notable absentee for Arsenal will be record signing Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian picked up a red card against Leeds and will be serving the second game of his 3 match ban.

Form goes out the window in derbies like these and both managers will want to win the game, albeit for completely different reasons.

On that note, here are 5 players to watch out for in the North London Derby:


#5 Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)

Lacazette was the man of the match against Rapid Wien
Lacazette was the man of the match against Rapid Wien

After starting the season on fire, scoring 3 goals in the opening 3 games, Alexandre Lacazette went on a goal drought of 67 days, before ending it spectacularly against Rapid Wien in the Europa League. The French striker played as a No. 10 against the Austrian side, as Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners.

Lacazette put in a stellar performance in this new role and it wouldn't be a surprise if Arteta decides to deploy in a similar role against Tottenham on Sunday. Arsenal have been missing a creative spark from midfield all season, and if his Europa League performance is anything to go by, Lacazette could provide them with what they require.


#4 Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

This will be Bale's first time facing the Gunners since he left Spurs in 2013
This will be Bale's first time facing the Gunners since he left Spurs in 2013

Securing a loan move back to Tottenham from Real Madrid would have been a dream scenario for Gareth Bale. The Welsh forward was frozen out of the team by Zinedine Zidane, and this move was best for all the parties involved. Bale will look to make the difference against Arsenal on Sunday.

Since coming back to Tottenham, the 31 year old has had a shaky start to say the least, but the Welsh winger always seems to show up against the Gunners. The Welshman scored 5 goals and assisted one in 10 games against his North London rivals and will be looking to add to that tally on Sunday.

Bale can use his pace and power to cause problems to the Arsenal defense, and he's also a set piece specialist with an eye for goal. The former Real Madrid man will be part of a menacing Tottenham frontline that could dismantle Arsenal in the derby.

#3 Heung-min Son (Tottenham)

Son will cause problems to the Arsenal defense
Son will cause problems to the Arsenal defense

Heung-min Son has been on fire for Tottenham this season. The South Korean forward has 9 goals and 2 assists in 10 Premier League games and will want to continue his good run of form against Arsenal.

Unplayable on his day, Son has been one of the best players under Jose Mourinho's regime. The Portuguese manager will expect Son to come up with the goods on Sunday. Son has electrifying pace and scary dribbling and finishing abilities. The 28 year old is also a tireless runner and will try and catch Arsenal on the counter. Look for him to be the difference maker on Sunday.


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

Will Auba finally get his season up and running?
Will Auba finally get his season up and running?

Arsenal's talismanic captain has had a rough start to the season. The Gabonese striker has only scored 2 goals in the league, one of which was a penalty against Manchester United. Aubameyang needs to get his form back and what better way to do that than against Tottenham in the derby?

Arsenal signed Aubameyang to a bumper new contract at the start of the season and its about time the forward starts producing for the club. Mikel Arteta will want his captain to find the form he had last season which led Arsenal to FA Cup glory.

Aubameyang is always a problem for defenders because of his pace and finishing abilities, but goals have come at a premium this season, partly because of the club's lack of a playmaker. But don't expect Aubameyang not to put away any of the chances put in front of him. The Gabonese striker has made a living off being a lethal finisher.


#1 Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Harry Kane is every Arsenal fans' nightmare
Harry Kane is every Arsenal fans' nightmare

Well, there's really not much to be said here. Tottenham's Harry Kane is Arsenal's tormentor-in-chief. No matter how much of a rut the striker is in, he always scores against Arsenal. Rain, sunshine or snow, the Englishman always finds a way.

Arsenal will take solace in the fact that Kane's fitness may be an issue coming into the game, but the Englishman has been in exceptional form this season. In the Premier League, Kane has scored 7 goals and assisted a further 9 in ten games. Kane needs one more goal to go ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor in North London Derby goals, and he's highly likely to do so on Sunday. Tottenham will be relying on Kane to steer them to victory.

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Edited by Ashwin