Tottenham vs Arsenal: 4 key battles that could decide north London derby

The stakes aren't quite as high as when these two bitter rivals last faced off, but bragging rights are nonetheless up for grabs in Sunday's north London derby.

It's the fixture that rarely disappoints, and there's plenty of intrigue surrounding the upcoming bout given the concerns that surround Arsenal's typically stable midfield. While some have rather curiously labelled the visitors as underdogs for Sunday's game, there's no doubt that the absence of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice's suspension are huge blows.

Ange Postecoglou could do with a statement victory after a frustrating start to the new season, while dropped points for the Gunners will likely see them slip further behind Manchester City at the summit with a trip to the Etihad on the horizon.

We're set for a fascinating encounter in N17, and here are four key battles that could decide Sunday's north London derby.

1. Dominic Solanke vs Arsenal's centre-backs

Arsenal's excellent centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel have shut out the very best, and they won't fear what's been a profligate Tottenham attack to start the 2024/25 campaign.

However, Spurs are set to be bolstered by Dominic Solanke's return to full fitness after a couple of weeks out. The big-money summer arrival will make his home debut this weekend, and he'll be desperate to open his account on one of the biggest days on the calendar.

We know how the hosts will aim to attack the Gunners, who will congest the pitch centrally. We're going to see plenty of isolation in wide areas, with the likes of Son Heung-min, Wilson Odobert, and Brennan Johnson primarily tasked with creating separation and crossing into the box. Ange encourages his wingers to drive the ball across the box where the likes of Solanke will be waiting to pounce.

Spurs missed the goal-getting instincts of focal point Solanke at St James' Park.

Arsenal's centre-back duo will share marking responsibilities, with Saliba more likely to track the Tottenham striker into the channels. However, this is a battle that will be won and lost in the Arsenal box. Both defenders must position themselves astutely to ensure Spurs' driven crosses fail to meet their intended target of Solanke.

2. Thomas Partey & Jorginho vs Tottenham's playmakers

Arsenal are set to be without what may well end up being their starting midfield. While Rice will only miss Sunday's game, Mikel Merino is set for a more prolonged absence and we still don't know the full extent of Odegaard's ankle injury.

Arteta has options on the mitigation front, but he's unlikely to do anything drastic. He'll opt for experience heads, and we should see Jorginho come into the team to partner Thomas Partey at the base of midfield.

Partey has a huge role to play on Sunday without Rice holding his hand. While the pair will offer plenty of quality in possession against an aggressive Tottenham press, some will be concerned about their work in defensive transition. Neither Partey or Jorginho excel when forced to run towards their goal.

There are avenues for Spurs to exploit on the counter, but Arsenal are likely to cede territory and control in a bid to limit such situations. The Gunners, however, will pick their moments to press, and this is where the hosts must capitalise.

Arsenal's pair in midfield have a tough task given Ange's emphasis upon half-space overloads. Tottenham's full-backs operate as auxiliary number tens, and their primary playmakers will drift from the central space in a bid to overwhelm the Gunners' pivot. Positional discipline will be key for Partey and Jorginho, who must have their timings spot on when pressing. Otherwise, they'll leave a space haven for Spurs' creators to wreak havoc.

3. Kai Havertz vs Micky van de Ven

Odegaard's likely absence and Gabriel Jesus' availability means we could see Kai Havertz drop into a midfield role. However, even if the German does play deeper, he will still be tasked with penetrating in behind. Havertz functioned as the left-sided number eight in Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in April and was excellent in the first half at exploiting the space in behind Villa's defence.

Spurs' defensive line is going to be high. Arteta knows that, and Havertz is the best space invader at his disposal. His ghostly runs from a deep position could be a big headache for the hosts' backline.

Fortunately, Postecoglou has a supreme recovery defender in Micky van de Ven. An athletic marvel, Van de Ven can match Havertz on the ground and deny the in-form Gunner from having an influence in behind.

However, while he is exceptionally quick and a force when driving with the ball, Van de Ven is flawed. He suffers in the air, and this is a weakness Arteta and Havertz could aim to exploit. Arsenal will be more than willing to ditch their build-up in favour of the direct route. Pump it up to Havertz and win the second ball.

4. Arsenal's attacking set-pieces

Arsenal were freakishly good from set-pieces last season, scoring 20 times from such situations, while Tottenham struggled to defend them. Only five teams conceded more set-piece goals than Spurs last season (14).

This mismatch proved key in Arsenal's win the last time the north London rivals faced off. An ins-winging corner forced Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg into scoring an own goal before Havertz headed home the Gunners' third unchallenged from Rice's delivery.

Arsenal may well opt for a similar plan which worked wonders in April this weekend, one that revolves around a compact defence, transitions, and set-pieces.

The Gunners haven't been so dominant from dead-ball situations at the start of the new season - mustering a combined 0.5 xG through three games - and while Spurs have shown considerable improvement when attacking set-pieces, they still appear vulnerable when asked to defend them. Only Leicester and Southampton have surrendered more set-piece xG than Postecoglou's side (1.61) this term.

Arteta will have to find a new set-piece maestro in Rice's absence, mind.

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