Arsenal are set to face a stiff test post the international break on Saturday when they welcome their fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners left for the international break on a high note, beating Brentford 3-0 to reclaim the top spot on the table. They have won six of their seven games and head into the North London derby with a lot of confidence.
Tottenham are just a point behind their old foes in third and trounced Leicester City 6-2 before the September hiatus. Antonio Conte’s side are also in a good run of form and will look to carry the momentum into Saturday’s derby.
That said, here are the key battles that could shape the latest installment of the North London derby.
#Granit Xhaka vs Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
As with almost every match in the English Premier League, winning midfield duels will be key to earning all three points. One battle to watch will be between Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Granit Xhaka has turned a corner in his Arsenal career and has assumed the role of a leader in a young, talented and energetic dressing room this season. Comfortably one of the first names on the team sheet, the Swiss has been given the license to venture forward and join attacks more often. And his influence has been apparent, with a goal and three assists already under his banner.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could be tasked with keeping a close watch on Xhaka’s late runs into the box. The Dane has been a crucial cog in the Spurs machine and he will have to be wary enough to help the team with his general defensive duties.
#Gabriel Jesus vs Eric Dier
Gabriel Jesus has been in sensational form this season, transforming the Arsenal attack with his goals, assists, link up and hold-up play. With four goals and three assists, the Brazilian is oozing with confidence at the moment.
Standing in Jesus’ way will be the Tottenham defence, marshalled by Eric Dier. Dier has been a player reborn under the tutelage of Conte and was recently recalled into the England squad for the Nations League games after a long hiatus.
Plenty of aerial duels are expected between the two, and the prospect of watching Jesus and Dier battle it out will be highly entertaining.
#Harry Kane vs William Saliba
Harry Kane just loves playing against Arsenal as demonstrated by his 15-goal (13 goals and two assists) contributions in 15 league games so far. He is Spurs’ talismanic striker, known for delivering big goals in big moments. Certainly, he will be the visitors’ main threat in attack.
Kane will fancy his chances against an inexperienced William Saliba, although the French defender could be a tough nut to crack. A matured and calm head on young shoulders, Saliba has adapted to the Premier League like a duck to water this season and built a strong understanding with Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the Arsenal backline.
Thus, Saliba’s duels with Kane will be intriguing, and how the Arsenal defender copes with the in-form Spurs striker has the potential to be decisive in Saturday’s derby.
#Son Heung-min vs Ben White
Kane’s partner-in-crime, Son Heung-min finally burst into life with a superb hat-trick in Spurs’ 6-2 demolition of Leicester City before the international break.
Having been demoted to the bench against Leicester, Son came on in the second half and completed a 14-minute hat-trick, thereby, reminding Conte of his qualities. It was just the perfect tonic the South Korean got before the big North London derby.
Son is likely to start for Spurs, and Arsenal will need to take great care of him. Ben White could be tasked with the responsibility of stopping the Spurs star. White has been a vital defensive cog in the Gunners’ backline—albeit at right-back—and his positional awareness and tactical smartness could be useful, as Arsenal look to neutralise a dangerous-looking Tottenham attack this weekend.