Bidding to make it three wins on the spin across all competitions, Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head with fiercest rivals Arsenal in this eagerly-awaited North London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Spurs are still recovering from the embarrassment of being taken to extra-time by non-league side Tamworth FC in their third-round FA Cup tie on Sunday, although they eventually prevailed 3-0 at the Lamb Stadium. Before the Tamworth tie, they had edged past Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at home.
However, it is their Premier League form that is concerning as Ange Postecoglou’s side are 12th in the table. They travel across the capital to take on wounded Arsenal, who lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final before being dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester United on penalty shootout.
Tottenham Team News
Ange Postecoglou delivered a mixed injury update in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening. He revealed Richarlison has recovered from a hamstring injury and is fit to face Arsenal. On the flip side, Timo Werner has sustained a hamstring problem and joined Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario and Wilson Odobert on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Ben Davies is back in training and will need to be assessed before the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Predicted Tottenham lineup vs Arsenal (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
January signing Antonin Kinsky has impressed in both Spurs’ cup games against Liverpool and Tamworth FC. A certainty now to start in the North London derby, the Czech Republic shot-stopper has to deal with the raucous atmosphere of the Emirates Stadium and deliver his best for Spurs.
Defence
In front of Kinsky, Postecoglou is expected to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Radu Dragusin should continue his central defensive partnership with Archie Gray, hoping to keep Kai Havertz quiet.
Pedro Porro and Djed Spence should start at right-back and left-back, respectively. The duo have to be defensively switched on against Arsenal’s tricky wingers but also contribute going forward. Tottenham’s entire back four, along with their goalkeeper, must deal with the home side’s prowess from set-pieces.
Midfield
Yves Bissouma should act as a shield for the back four, with the Malian tasked with disrupting Arsenal’s rhythm and attacks. He will be joined by James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr in the Spurs engine room. Sarr would bring bundles of energy to the side while Maddison’s incisive passing and vision will be key in unlocking the rigid Arsenal defence.
The aforementioned troika will look to keep things simple, recycle possession and make right decisions on the ball to stop Arsenal from dictating terms.
Attack
Undoubtedly Tottenham’s best player of the season, Dejan Kulusevski, who scored against Tamworth in the FA Cup at the weekend, is a sure-fix starter on the right. This would see Brennan Johnson drop to the bench, with skipper Son Heung-min—Arsenal’s nemesis now after Harry Kane’s departure—starting on the left flank.
Dominic Solanke is a certainty to lead the Spurs attack against the Gunners. Richarlison could be a pest because of his physicality and directness if he is brought on late off the bench.
