On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur hosts rival Arsenal in a Premier League clash. This north London derby, which is already one of the most anticipated matches of the season, has even more flavour.
As the Premier League season enters its final three weeks, this game can go a long way in determining the race for this year’s names.
Arsenal are the league’s best by one point over defending champions Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
This match, at the home of arch-rivals Spurs, is arguably the toughest of Arsenal’s matches.
If Manchester City win their remaining games, they will be champions again. But an Arsenal win against Spurs would put pressure on City again and send the message that this is intended to take the race to the end.
The last time there was a north London derby was in the 2004 season. Arsenal won the match and the title.
Spurs enthusiasts love to beat Arsenal, and it would be fun to deal a potentially fatal blow to the opponent’s name challenge.
Spurs also want to struggle to keep fighting for a top-four position and Champions League qualification next season. At present, this is unlikely. Aston Villa are fourth, six points behind Spurs, despite having played two more games.
After the match against Arsenal, Spurs must face Manchester City and Liverpool, lately third, in their last matches.
Even a draw against Arsenal won’t be enough to keep the pressure on Villa. With an enthusiastic crowd roaring against the Spurs, the players will be looking for the win.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Spurs’ Ange Postecoglou have a clear idea of how they want their teams to play. They are all uncompromising with the confidence that their path is the one that will lead them to success.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta holds up a Premier League notepad. [ ] Championship between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 28, 2023 in London, England. Getty images)
This season, Arsenal have been characterised by fast starts, with waves of relentless attacks orchestrated by remarkable playmaker Martin Ødegaard.
Out of position, the team is positionally disciplined and competitive defensively, conceding the fewest goals of any team, 26. However, there were times when the formula was vulnerable. Aston Villa, in a 2-0 away win, played through the Arsenal midfield. midfield and created a lot of chances.
As underdogs, one would expect Spurs to go ahead and knock Arsenal down. That’s not how Postecoglou’s groups play.
The Australian coach needs his teams to control themselves and attack at every opportunity. When it works, it can blow rivals’ minds. But it also leaves holes at the back. Spurs have conceded almost twice as many goals as Arsenal this season. Spurs captain Son Heung-min said that wouldn’t stop his team from looking to win the game against Arsenal.
“What we play for is very important. Let’s be true to our game, to our game,” he said, as reported by The Guardian.
“You need to have smart festivals and play in front of the most productive bands in the world. “
For Tottenham, the news that Italian foreigner Destiny Udogie will miss the rest of the season due to injury is a huge blow. The 21-year-old, a star in his first season in English football, and his arrogant taste is key to Postecoglou’s game plan.
The coach will now have to know who will update Udogie for this very important adjustment and the start of the season. The most likely option is Ben Davies, a reliable player who provides more security defensively, but less style in attack.
Left-back is the position in which Arsenal look doubtful this season. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have played there, but Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to start.
Tomiyasu is a reliable defender. He’ll have to do his part to counter the risk of Brennan Johnson, the speedy Spurs winger.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Brennan Johnson of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team’s second goal of the season. [ ] the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on March 10, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo via Alex Pantling/ Getty Images)
Arsenal have played 4 times since Spurs’ last match. Will those extra minutes be a factor?
One argument is that a more consistent speed of play will help, rather than hinder, Arsenal. Both groups like to start temporarily and if Arsenal get a draw against Spurs, the team can score enough goals to win the game before the break.
Arsenal have been somewhat fortunate with the absence of injuries to their key players, but those who have played maximum minutes may feel their legs getting heavy as the game progresses.
Surrogates can play a key role here. Assuming he doesn’t start the game, Dejan Kulusevski is a useful option on the Spurs bench to stop the ball and break down defenses.