The stakes aren’t fairly as excessive as when these two bitter rivals final confronted off, however bragging rights are nonetheless up for grabs in Sunday’s north London derby.

It is the fixture that hardly ever disappoints, and there is loads of intrigue surrounding the upcoming bout given the considerations that encompass Arsenal’s usually secure midfield. Whereas some have relatively curiously labelled the guests as underdogs for Sunday’s sport, there is not any doubt that the absence of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice’s suspension are large blows.

Ange Postecoglou may do with an announcement victory after a irritating begin to the brand new season, whereas dropped factors for the Gunners will doubtless see them slip additional behind Manchester Metropolis on the summit with a visit to the Etihad on the horizon.

We’re set for an enchanting encounter in N17, and listed here are 4 key battles that might resolve Sunday’s north London derby.

Arsenal’s glorious centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel have shut out the perfect, they usually will not concern what’s been a profligate Tottenham assault to start out the 2024/25 marketing campaign.

Nevertheless, Spurs are set to be bolstered by Dominic Solanke’s return to full health after a few weeks out. The large-money summer season arrival will make his house debut this weekend, and he’ll be determined to open his account on one of many largest days on the calendar.

We all know how the hosts will purpose to assault the Gunners, who will congest the pitch centrally. We will see loads of isolation in large areas, with the likes of Son Heung-min, Wilson Odobert, and Brennan Johnson primarily tasked with creating separation and crossing into the field. Ange encourages his wingers to drive the ball throughout the field the place the likes of Solanke shall be ready to pounce.

Spurs missed the goal-getting instincts of point of interest Solanke at St James’ Park.

Arsenal’s centre-back duo will share marking tasks, with Saliba extra more likely to observe the Tottenham striker into the channels. Nevertheless, this can be a battle that shall be gained and misplaced within the Arsenal field. Each defenders should place themselves astutely to make sure Spurs’ pushed crosses fail to fulfill their supposed goal of Solanke.

Arsenal are set to be with out what might nicely find yourself being their beginning midfield. Whereas Rice will solely miss Sunday’s sport, Mikel Merino is ready for a extra extended absence and we nonetheless do not know the complete extent of Odegaard’s ankle damage.

Arteta has choices on the mitigation entrance, however he is unlikely to do something drastic. He’ll go for expertise heads, and we must always see Jorginho come into the staff to companion Thomas Partey on the base of midfield.

Partey has an enormous function to play on Sunday with out Rice holding his hand. Whereas the pair will provide loads of high quality in possession towards an aggressive Tottenham press, some shall be involved about their work in defensive transition. Neither Partey or Jorginho excel when pressured to run in the direction of their aim.

There are avenues for Spurs to take advantage of on the counter, however Arsenal are more likely to cede territory and management in a bid to restrict such conditions. The Gunners, nevertheless, will decide their moments to press, and that is the place the hosts should capitalise.

Arsenal’s pair in midfield have a troublesome process given Ange’s emphasis upon half-space overloads. Tottenham’s full-backs function as auxiliary quantity tens, and their major playmakers will drift from the central area in a bid to overwhelm the Gunners’ pivot. Positional self-discipline shall be key for Partey and Jorginho, who should have their timings spot on when urgent. In any other case, they’re going to depart an area haven for Spurs’ creators to wreak havoc.

Odegaard’s doubtless absence and Gabriel Jesus’ availability means we may see Kai Havertz drop right into a midfield function. Nevertheless, even when the German does play deeper, he’ll nonetheless be tasked with penetrating in behind. Havertz functioned because the left-sided quantity eight in Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in April and was glorious within the first half at exploiting the area in behind Villa’s defence.

Spurs’ defensive position goes to be excessive. Arteta is aware of that, and Havertz is the perfect area invader at his disposal. His ghostly runs from a deep place might be an enormous headache for the hosts’ backline.

Luckily, Postecoglou has a supreme restoration defender in Micky van de Ven. An athletic marvel, Van de Ven can match Havertz on the bottom and deny the in-form Gunner from having an affect in behind.

Nevertheless, whereas he’s exceptionally fast and a pressure when driving with the ball, Van de Ven is flawed. He suffers within the air, and this can be a weak spot Arteta and Havertz may purpose to take advantage of. Arsenal shall be greater than keen to ditch their build-up in favour of the direct route. Pump it as much as Havertz and win the second ball.

Arsenal have been freakishly good from set-pieces final season, scoring 20 instances from such conditions, whereas Tottenham struggled to defend them. Solely 5 groups conceded extra set-piece targets than Spurs final season (14).

This mismatch proved key in Arsenal’s win the final time the north London rivals confronted off. An ins-winging nook pressured Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg into scoring an personal aim earlier than Havertz headed house the Gunners’ third unchallenged from Rice’s supply.

Arsenal might nicely decide for the same plan which labored wonders in April this weekend, one which revolves round a compact defence, transitions, and set-pieces.

The Gunners have not been so dominant from dead-ball conditions at first of the brand new season – mustering a mixed 0.5 xG by way of three video games – and whereas Spurs have proven appreciable enchancment when attacking set-pieces, they nonetheless seem susceptible when requested to defend them. Solely Leicester and Southampton have surrendered extra set-piece xG than Postecoglou’s facet (1.61) this time period.

Arteta must discover a new set-piece maestro in Rice’s absence, thoughts.

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