Tottenham are preparing for an attack on rivals Arsenal this weekend, but it will be an attack on the walking wounded.
With at least six players unavailable and another race to qualify in time, Arsenal fans have an extra layer of trepidation heading into this fiery clash in London. If ever Mikel Arteta needed proof of just how tough his title rivals are, this is surely it.
Martin Odegaard: foot fever. Riccardo Calafiori: calf injury. Mikel Merino: shoulder fracture. Declan Rice: suspended. Takehiro Tomiyasu: knee injury. Kieran Tierney: foot injury. Gabriel Jesus is injured and a doubt for the match. He was hardly ruled out, especially with three midfielders starting the match.
It couldn’t have come at a worse time either. Arsenal dropped points in a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton, while title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both started at 100%. This tight derby comes four days after they travel to Atalanta in the Champions League, before they travel to the Etihad to play City next weekend.
But there is room for optimism. New signing Raheem Sterling is highly unlikely to leave and could start on the wing, with a possible midfield change that could see Kai Haverts move into midfield and Leandro Trossard play as a centre-forward. Arsenal still have plenty of firepower to trouble Spurs, who were injured in a very different way in this game.
Tottenham dominated their last away game at Newcastle but lost 2-1, conceding two goals from three shots on target. Ange Postecoglou’s side had 65 per cent of the ball and 20 possessions but failed to capitalise. The same was true on the opening day with Leicester with a 1-1 scoreline.
Spurs look like a team still developing. The club spent £126m on new players but there is plenty of inexperience and, apart from Son Heung-min, there are not enough key players to win the game. Unlike Arsenal, though, Tottenham’s injured players are getting back into shape. Micky van de Ven, so vital in stopping counter-attacks in defence, missed the trip to Newcastle but is back for this trip. New £65m signing Dominic Solanke has been out for the last two games but looks set to return here.
But fouls are not good for Tottenham in this game, at least in the last four games between these two bitter rivals. Tottenham have not beaten Arsenal since May 2022 and have lost three and drawn one of their last four. In the same game against Arsenal last season, Spurs lost 3-2 at home and 3-0 in the first half.
Tottenham-Arsenal
Odds updated at 20:00 BST on Friday.
- Tottenham gano: 19/10 (+190)
- drawing: 13/5 (+260)
- Arsenal: 5/4 (+125)
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London
Time: 14:00 BST (9:00 ET), Sunday
forms guide
Tottenham: 1-1-1, 4 puntos (10º); LWD
Arsenal: 2-1-0, 7 points (4th); DWW
Game prediction
Tottenham 1:1 Arsenal
No one wants to miss the North London derby, but pride is everything for both teams and their fans. It’s still early in the season and a cage should be opened as Arsenal try to adapt to a depleted squad, with Tottenham ready to take on their arch rivals. This tool usually offers heavy blows, red cards and drama. Expect plenty, but early in the season we can see these teams keeping things tight and looking to get results.
