Wright fears Richarlison, Crouch backs Spurs to win North London derby on Sunday

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has surprisingly pinpointed Richarlison as a key threat facing the Gunners ahead of the north London derby this Sunday.

Both teams go into the game in excellent form and unbeaten in the league so far, although a victory for the home side will take them above Spurs in the table.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s men do have the advantage of having a full week to prepare, while the Gunners were in Champions League action on Wednesday night as they thumped PSV 4-0.

Postecoglou is certainly getting more out of the Tottenham players than his predecessors and Wright is particularly wary of Richarlison‘s threat if the Brazilian gets the nod to start.

The former Everton man disappointed hugely in his first campaign for the club and the start of this season was not going much better until the win over Sheffield United last time out.

 Richarlison climbed off the bench to score an equaliser and then set up the winner for Dejan Kulusevski, with both goals coming in stoppage time against the Blades.

And, speaking to Optus Sport, Wright is concerned about the form Spurs are showing under Postecoglou and Richarlison seemingly returning to form.

He said: “You’re looking at a team now that is very confident and a player up front who, if he can now throw in 10-12 goals which he’s easily capable of doing Richarlison, now his head’s clear and everything – they’re going to cause people problems.

“He seems to have stopped the noise in his head, the manager’s given him time out of it and brought him in and eased him into and now he feels more at ease.”

Richarlison may not even start the game if Postecoglou decides to go with Son Heung-min through the middle again, while Brennan Johnson is also pushing for a start after his impressive debut from the bench last weekend.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has swung his predictions in the way of Spurs ahead of the north London Derby at the Emirates.

Former Tottenham striker has tipped the white side of north London to rise in jubilation after the latest North London Derby. His predictions appeared on TBR, where Crouch insists Spurs will go and get three points at the Emirates.

“I like a lot about Arsenal, and that pains me to say. But I think this is an opportunity for Spurs to go and get a result there. I’ve gone for 2-1. I think there’s a feel-good factor around Spurs at the moment. I’m probably getting carried away, but I genuinely think they could get a result there.”

Crouch may have reasons for his verdict, but the only possible reason here is Tottenham’s positive start to the season.

Former Gunners star Paul Merson recently predicted that Arsenal will crush Spurs at the Emirates, which may contradict how the two teams are playing their respective football.

Alongside Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, Spurs are the only other unbeaten side in the Premier League this season, and Postecoglou will hope that remains beyond Sunday. As for the Gunners, they have had a relatively slow start to the season by their standards but have picked up momentum right before the North London Derby.

 Crouch’s predictions may have a hit of bias towards Tottenham, but the former striker, like any other Spurs supporter, will feel optimistic about getting a result here. However, in truth, Arsenal have looked like a level above the rest, barring Man City this season, and their squad superiority will have a telling effect on the final result in the north London Derby.

Whether Crouch’s dream comes true will have to be found out on Sunday, but as far as predictions go, Tottenham will have to work extremely hard to find a win at the Emirates. Hence, as things stand, Arsenal are the favourites to take three points and go above their north London rivals.