Arsenal vs Tottenham: Line-ups
Arsenal
Tottenham
Gunners on Fire
#1
The script was written for Richarlison to play a starring role in Spurs’ most recent showdown with Sheffield United, which came after the hitherto misfiring striker had admitted to seeking psychological help for off-field problems, having struggled to keep his emotions in check in a Brazil shirt during the international break.
#2
Facing a side as open as PSV may have come as somewhat of a relief for Arteta’s men, who had previously struggled to penetrate a backs-against-the-wall Everton team before a moment of magic from the silky Trossard, who is unsurprisingly proving a more than capable deputy for the injured Gabriel Martinelli.
#3
Breaking their own record for the latest winning comeback in Premier League history – which was previously held by the Steven Bergwijn-inspired 3-2 success at Leicester City – Spurs remain without defeat in the top flight since Ange Postecoglou took the reins and have only performed worse than a perfect Manchester City so far this term.
#4
Thanks to last weekend’s astonishing fightback, Spurs have also kept up their streak of scoring at least twice in all of their Premier League games under Postecoglou so far, and not since the 1965-66 season have they sat on 13 points after five games, but few will need reminding of Antonio Conte’s acrimonious exit several months after he also led Spurs to their best start to a season last year.
#5
Sunday’s contest will mark the 208th competitive North London derby since Arsenal and Spurs first locked horns in 1896 – during which the Gunners were a South-East London side – and Arteta’s men have triumphed in four of the last five meetings with their worst enemy, who have gone an unlucky 13 years without winning a top-flight game on Emirates soil.
DPP Verdict
Arsenal’s powers can sometimes wane when faced with a low block, but the Gunners ran riot against a bolder PSV team and will need no second invitation to subject an aggressive, front-footed Spurs side to similar treatment, as Postecoglou should not be expected to abandon his principles. Clean sheets at home still elude the Gunners in the Premier League, but if their performance on Wednesday is anything to go by, Arteta’s men have rediscovered their clinical edge and should end Postecoglou’s unbeaten start with their customary Emirates North London derby triumph.
