Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
It may only be the 4th game of the season, but the North London Derby is already here, Mikel and his gunners have got to be ready. We go to battle for North London on Super Sunday.
Predicted XI
Given what happened against Brighton and the Declan Rice dismissal. There is a big questions mark for Mikel ahead of the NLD not to mention the injury suffered by Martin Ødegaard during the essentially pointless international break.
Who will play in the number 8 role now and just who replaces our main stay number 8 too!
I’ve gone for only 1 change to the squad that started against Brighton and had a strong performance until the referee changed the game. But there is more than just a player change but the line-up itself is different.
With Rice gone. Arsenal need a CF and an 8. Kai Havertz is most at home being the utility man across the starting XI. He has played games in the left hand side in that rotating 8 role before. More importantly that rotation has been with Leandro Trossard also. The interplay between each others roles as 8 as or CF during games frequently hence it makes sense to start Leo at CF and Kai in the 8.
That key change taking place means there is a gap on the left hand side. Whilst normally we would have immediately put Gabriel Martinelli straight into Left Wing. With the deadline day addition of Raheem Sterling, Mikel now has another option to consider.
The other forced change due to Ødegaards injury will have to be one focused on creativity. That right hand side is Arsenals key danger area. With the overlaps from White and Saka they need an intricate baller who passes quick and knows to utilisie those tirangles. Cometh the hour, it is time for cometh the man.
Ethan Nwaneri is him. We all know this wonderkid has bags of potential, energy and ability. Now is the perfect stage to showcase just what he is capable of. With the guidance on the right from Senior players such as Saka and White he does have the tools to dominate. Whilst it may mean we are not as killer on the process as with Martin and his relentless runs off the ball to pressure opposition. Nwaneri, still presents the ability for that incisive killer pass and a forward thinking style of play. Whoever Mikel Arteta chooses, they will certainly have big boots to be filling. But I for one think the kid can do the job!
A man who is fuelled by a feeling of being overlooked, of being wronged and of being ignored. Perhaps the North London Derby is the perfect stage for Raheem Sterling to remind the world just why he was so highly regarded for such a long time. Remind the Premier League that as he approaches 30, he still has time to deliver some of his best performances and this time in the red and white of Arsenal.
This tactical change is radical but one that can be utilised given the options open to Mikel. Raheem is a quality player and he has to show it at every opportunity. With Rice unavailable, and the threat on the left of Arsenal still needing to gel together. This is the perfect time to show what he can do.
The right hand side of Arsenal attack, the overlaps of Ben White, the interplay of the trio with Saka, Ødegaard and White its clear to see this is where we are most dangerous. Now, finally the left of Arsenal must also provide equal threat, this may just be the way Mikel can achieve it.
Predictions
Arsenal are a side going for the title once again. Arsenal are a side who Man City see as a threat. This is not how Man City see Tottenham. This is the difference.
Arsenal even with a key man in Declan Rice missing has to be overcoming the challenge a team like Tottenham pose. They have to take them on and win in a comfortable fashion. That being said, the North London Derby forgoes most rules of football. Emotions take hold and anything can happen.
- Scoreline: Tottenham 0 – Arsenal 2
- POTM: Raheem Sterling
- Suggested Bet: Arsenal to Win (YES)
Written by Reekesh Somaroo
For Art of Analysis.