Arsenal Vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview & Prediction: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Streaming Links

After two consecutive wins in the Premier League, Arsenal brace themselves for a tough challenge ahead as they lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur in this season’s first North London derby. The Gunners haven’t had a bright start to the campaign and are even dawdling in a mid-table position, but their current run of form should give them confidence as they look to enter the top half of the table with a valuable derby victory.

Tottenham, in contrast, had enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, even leading the table prior to the international break. The tables have turned since, with the Lilywhites now slipping to seventh thanks to back to back defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea. They will be hoping to avoid another defeat by a London rival when they travel to Emirates this weekend.

Arsenal Vs Tottenham Hotspur Preview

Talking Tactics

Arsenal

After experimenting with a 4-3-2-1 diamond in midweek’s Carabao Cup win over Wimbledon, Mikel Arteta should revert to a traditional 4-1-4-1 this weekend. The presence of two attacking midfielders have somewhat boosted the team’s creative output, but it is essential for the Gunners to play through the Tottenham press. As such, it won’t be surprising to see Arteta’s men build up from defence rather than relying on long balls.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, have been surprisingly slowed down by Harry Kane in the final third. It appears the Englishman’s willingness to drop deep has had a detrimental effect on the team. Nuno Espirito Santo, therefore, may ask the forward to operate more as a target man whilst deploying a 4-2-3-1 that will seek to maximise the attacking potential of the three creative players, with Son Heung-Min likely to operate as a runner.

Team News

Arsenal

Arsenal are not facing any major injury woes heading into this contest. But Arteta is expected to ring in the changes from the side that featured against Wimbledon. Multiple changes could be on the cards, starting from Aaron Ramsdale returning in goal to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spearheading the frontline. Emile Smith Rowe may get the nod ahead of Albert Sambi Lokonga as well, as Arteta looks to unleash the additional creative player in midfield.

Predicted Lineup: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey; Pepe, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka; Aubameyang

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, are uncertain over the involvement of wide attacking duo Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn. But Japhet Tanganga should be eligible to feature after serving a one-match ban. There could be a start for Giovani Lo Celso too, should Lucas and Bergwijn fail to recover in time.

Predicted Lineup: Lloris; Tanganga, Sanchez, Romero, Reguilon; Hojbjerg, Skipp; Lo Celso, Alli, Son; Kane

Key Men

Arsenal

Arsenal will be pinning their hopes on Aubameyang, who is once again yet to hit the ground running, scoring just one goal in four matches. However, that goal did come in the 1-0 win over Norwich City and though he failed to find the back of the net in the last game, he will be ready to make his presence felt in this important North London derby.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham have a similar dilemma up front with their main forward Harry Kane, who is yet to even score in the Premier League. The English international needs to recover his scoring touch if Spurs are to have any chance of salvaging anything from this game.

Streaming Links