North London Derby: Arsenal in better shape than Spurs

THE North London Derby is unlike any match and as any Goner will tell you the anticipation felt ahead of the game is unique.

There is excitement of course but it is more than tempered by a nervous energy which makes the build-up almost painful.

It is a cliche to say that form goes out of the window for derbies but for this clash both teams are in fine fettle.

Indeed, one is not sure when this fierce fixture was actually a top-of-the-table clash, as it will be on Saturday. The spoils this weekend are so much more than bragging rights.

All that said it is Arsenal, although not unbeaten, who find themselves at the top of the Premier League and for the following reasons, yes with a rational head,  make the home team slight favourites.

One, it's at the Emirates, so they have home advantage.

Home advantage can not be understated and the once lambasted atmosphere at the Emirates has transformed post-Covid. 

New fans, an attractive team, a togetherness and not forgetting the fabulous Ashburton Army have raised decibels to new levels. That is the case weekly now but for the visit of Spurs the bar will be raised further and Arsenal’s 12th man as a key factor.

Secondly, Arsenal’s collective press, led by Gabriel Jesus, is functioning magnificently and one is not sure Tottenham’s back three or five (as it often is under Conte) can handle it. 

Martin Odegaard never stops pressing and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will keep Spurs' wing-backs penned in for long periods. 

Arsenal's ability to turn over and win back possession will be a telling factor. Hugo Lloris when put under pressure is prone to error.

Tottenham will aim to hit the hosts on the break and in Son Heung-min we know they have a strong weapon. 

For this reason, if Kieran Tierney to get the nod over Oleksandr Zinchenko because the Scot is a better and quicker defender. 

It be great to have Ben White or Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back and as a collective with William Saliba and Gabriel it is a pacey back line that will be hard to counter if they maintain their discipline. 

One full-back will be allowed to venture forward at a time because of the opposition’s threat.

 

Saliba, despite his relative inexperience, does not strike as the type of character who will allow Harry Kane to bully him. 

The Frenchman is taller, stronger and faster than many of his predecessors who the England captain has been able to dominate in recent years. 

For the visitors to prevail Kane needs to be a big influence in the match and this is doubtful,  particularly having watched his toiling on international duty.

The last key factor which is down to the freshness of Arsenal’s team. 

Important players for the Gunners such as Jesus, Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, White and Gabriel have been resting and training whilst colleagues played minutes for their countries. 

However, even Saka and Odegaard did not play full 90 minutes. 

In essence, half of Arsenal’s starting 11 will be fresh which cannot be said for our Middlesex neighbours. 

Kane played both matches in full, whilst Richarlison, Son and Rodrigo Bentancur have all played twice on the other side of the world. Even those Gunners who have played, have only done so close to home.

How Arsenal could line up

Odegaard looks set to feature after missing the 3-0 win over Brentford with a calf injury.

The Gunners are also hopeful that Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be available, according to football.london.

Tierney, Partey and Tomiyasu were sent home from international duty early but could play, while Zinchenko also appears to have recovered from a calf injury.

Ben White has impressed at right-back this season, while Zinchenko is the natural choice at left-back.

Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba will continue their budding partnership in the heart of defence, with Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks.

Partey is a sure starter if fit, with Granit Xhaka set to continue alongside him.

Jesus will continue to lead the line after his stunning start to life at the Emirates.

Saka has returned from England duty unscathed and will likely play on the right, with Gabriel Martinelli - who was left out of the Brazil squad - on the other side and Odegaard in his usual No10 role.

Alternatively, if Partey is not fit enough to start, Zinchenko could be moved into midfield.

That could see Tierney come in, while Tomiyasu may get the nod on the other side.

Mohamed Elneny remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Emile Smith Rowe has also recently undergone groin surgery and will reportedly be sidelined until December.