Premier League is back this weekend with some of its most intriguing encounters including the North London derby where a rejuvenated Arsenal side will host sensational Spurs at the Emirates taking place tomorrow afternoon. The Gunners, under Unai Emery, have been in stunning form and have not lost a game since back to back defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea in opening gameweeks. Although they have won only once in their last eight Premier League meetings against Tottenham, Arsenal must go for all three points to keep contesting for a place in next season’s Champions League football.
Mauricio Pochettino, on the other hand, has done wonder with a mediocre Spurs squad and transformed them into one of the most incredible European forces despite budget constraints. They made no inclusion to their squad at all in the summer but maintained their dominance handing Chelsea their first league defeat of the season last weekend. Spurs have won only once in their last 25 away outings against Arsenal but have been superior in the recent past and should be eyeing their first victory at Emirates since November 2010.
Team News
Arsenal
Arsenal have a few casualties with Danny Welbeck likely to miss the rest of this season following a second ankle injury. Konstantinos Mavropanos [Groin] and Nacho Monreal [Thigh] are also a few weeks away from returning to action, but the Gunners are set to be boosted by the return of star striker Alexandre Lacazette who has recovered from a groin strain. Veteran Laurent Koscielny has also enjoyed minutes with the reserves following a long injury layoff but might not be lined up against Spurs due to lack of match fitness.
Spurs
Spurs will be without midfield duo Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele who are sidelined with respective knee and ankle injuries. Davinson Sanchez, their defensive ace is also ruled out due to a thigh strain whereas right-back Kieran Trippier is still a few days away from full fitness with a groin problem.
Vincent Janssen remains the long-term absentee following his foot surgery, but the increasing doubt over in-form Erik Lamela’s [Thigh] fitness has to be a worrying sign for Pochettino’s men.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal
Bernd Leno; Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Rob Holding; Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, Sead Kolasinac; Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; Alexandre Lacazette.
Spurs
Hugo Lloris; Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davies; Eric Dier, Moussa Sissoko, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli; Heung-min Son, Harry Kane.
Key Men
Arsenal
With eight goals so far, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is currently the joint top scorer in the league (alongside Sergio Aguero) and he would be a threat in the attacking third with his pace and goal-poaching traits. Alexandre Lacazette is in fine form too whereas Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka would focus on controlling the game in the middle of the park.
Spurs
Tottenham, meanwhile, have an all-star frontline with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son with the latter scoring a spectacular solo goal against the Blues last weekend at Wembley Stadium. Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli have been creative in an advanced midfield role and would like to continue their stupendous form against fierce rivals.
Odds
Arsenal: 3/2
Draw: 13/5
Spurs: 17/10
Prediction
Spurs, on paper, are a stronger side due to their chemistry and collective effort under Pochettino. But the Gunners have found their rhythm back this season and are capable of securing all three points banking on individual excellence. These two balanced outfits are likely to produce yet another engaging contest which might result in a 1-1 draw due to their resilience and composure within the squad.
