Tottenham vs Arsenal: Spurs to test Gunners “bottle” in EPL North London Derby
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Igor Tudor vs Mikel Arteta: New Spurs Era meets Arsenal’s title pressure
The North London Derby always carries a special feel and remains one of the most highly anticipated matches on the Premier League calendar, but few encounters between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have carried the importance of this evening's clash.
For Spurs, this fixture could prove to be the catalyst for a change in momentum, as they kickstart a new era under interim boss Igor Tudor, who has been tasked with returning some form of stability at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the final third of the season.
The Lilywhites enter this match on 29 points and in 16th place in the league standings, just four points above the relegation zone, and hoping to end an eight-match winless run (D4 L4). A victory feels vital for the white half of the capital, but it certainly won’t be easy, as our experts discuss in our Tottenham vs Arsenal prediction.
Tudor could become an instant hero if he can take three points from this clash, but his new team have struggled to overcome their greatest rivals in recent times, losing each of the last three North London derbies on their home patch, while they were also handed a 4-1 drubbing in the reverse fixture back in November.
However, this is possibly the best time for the new Spurs boss to face Arsenal, with the Gunners currently wobbling at the top of the EPL standings. They have drawn back-to-back games against Brentford (1-1) and basement club Wolves (2-2) ahead of this match, which has seen their lead cut to two points.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked to be in full control of the title race less than a month ago, but Gooners are now starting to get that familiar feeling that their wait for the Prem title is set to be extended by another season, as “bottling it” whispers have begun to get louder in recent weeks.
Since the turn of the calendar, only Crystal Palace and West Ham United have squandered more points (8) from winning positions in the top flight than the Gunners (7). Indeed, in the last two months, Arsenal have failed to take all three points three times in five games after going ahead.
Gabriel vs Solanke: Key battles in crucial Premier League NLD
Given how both these sides enter this evening’s North London Derby, fine margins and individual brilliance (or errors) could define the outcome of this match, and one battle that will be in full focus will be between Gabriel Magalhaes and Dominic Solanke.
The Brazilian centre-back has established himself as one of the best defenders in all of Europe this season, but he (and the rest of the Gunners defence) has looked out of sorts in recent weeks, something that was clearly evident in the draw against Wolves at Molineux in midweek.
Looking to trouble Arsenal’s backline is Dominic Solanke, who has arguably been Spurs’ best player since returning from injury. The Englishman’s relentless pressing and strength in duels could be key to unsettling Gabriel and co, and he will be aching to make amends for the own goal he scored in this fixture at the Emirates last January.
In the middle of the park, Conor Gallagher and Yves Bissouma will have a massive task on their hands to keep Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka quiet. Saka netted his first goal in 15 games at Molineux and is clearly relishing his new role in the number 10 position in captain Martin Odegaard’s absence.
The final player we’re picking out to keep a close eye on in today’s NDL is Eberechi Eze, who has six goals in his last four matches against the Lilywhites. He scored a stunning hat-trick in the reverse fixture back at the Emirates and has netted three times in his last two games here at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
