Arsenal are set to face their biggest test post the international break on Sunday when they welcome their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners head into the north London derby having bounced back from a forgettable start in the Premier League to win their last three matches in all competitions without conceding a goal.
After three successive 1-0 wins, Tottenham Hotspur, in contrast, have endured back-to-back Premier League defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea respectively. However, they go into the game off the back of a third-round EFL Cup victory over Wolves.
The tone is set for what feels like another mouth-watering edition of the north London derby on Sunday. That being said, let’s have a look at the key battles that await us at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – 3 Key Battles
#3 Takehiro Tomiyasu vs Son Heung-min
Takehiro Tomiyasu, a summer signing from Bologna, was put straight into the starting XI by Mikel Arteta after the international break. The Japanese international, 22, has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, impressing at right-back against both Norwich City and Burnley.
On Sunday, Tomiyasu will face his biggest test as he will likely line up against Son Heung-min, who has been by far Spurs’ best player so far this season. The South Korean’s speed combined with his movement and dribbling skills could cause problems for the Arsenal defender.
It will be an intriguing battle between Tomiyasu and Son at the Emirates Stadium.
#2 Thomas Partey vs Dele Alli
Thomas Partey limped off the field having picked up an injury against Chelsea in pre-season which saw the midfielder miss the opening stages of the new campaign. The Ghanaian is slowly getting back to full fitness having started the last two games against Burnley and AFC Wimbledon.
Whether he is ready for the high-intensity challenge of the north London derby remains to be seen, but Partey, 28, is expected to start in Arsenal’s midfield.
Dele Alli is enjoying life as a Spurs player again and he will look to create opportunities for his teammates from his natural No.10 position at the Emirates Stadium. It will be Partey’s job to stop the Dele Alli from exploiting space in the Arsenal half.
#1 Harry Kane vs Ben White
Harry Kane hasn’t looked close to his usual self this season and Arsenal will hope that he does not manage to do that on Sunday. He did score in the EFL Cup tie against Wolves, which would have certainly made him feel a lot better.
The pass = 🎯
The finish = ❄️ @HKane x @dele_official in the NLD! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qhiYaRlkKe— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 24, 2021
Ben White, Arsenal’s big-money summer signing from Brighton, is still settling in his new club. The centre-back will have to be at the top of his game to ensure that his English teammate doesn’t get clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities.
Going up against Kane will not be easy for White, but if he can shut down the Spurs striker, Arsenal could emerge victorious. Lest we forget, Kane relishes facing Arsenal, having score 11 times against the Gunners.
