Arsenal have the opportunity to respond to Wednesday night’s disappointing draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers by getting one over their hated rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon and laying down a marker in the Premier League title race.
While the Gunners have a five-point lead at the summit of the English top flight, the momentum appears to be swinging towards Manchester City, with Mikel Arteta’s men winning just two of their last seven league games.
Wolves’ 94th-minute equaliser at Molineux will have set alarm bells ringing for Arteta, and it’s imperative that his side react positively at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.
Fortunately for the Spanish manager, the Gunners’ recent record against their noisy neighbours is excellent – Spurs haven’t beaten Arsenal for almost four years. Back in November, the Emirates Stadium witnessed a derby thrashing, as Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick saw the home side secure a resounding victory.
Arsenal team news vs Tottenham, Bukayo Saka injury update
Bukayo Saka limped off during the second half of Arsenal’s clash against Wolves, worrying the Gunners faithful ahead of the North London derby. These concerns have now been calmed, with reports seemingly indicating that the withdrawal was merely precautionary.
Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard was also forced to leave the pitch at Molineux, just 15 minutes after replacing Saka. The Belgian is, however, also expected to be available for selection against Spurs.
Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz both missed Arsenal’s visit to the West Midlands through injury. Speaking to the media on Friday, Arteta provided an update on both players’ fitness status.
“We have to wait till tomorrow, there is a little possibility that they are available,” the tactician said.
Elsewhere, Mikel Merino remains a long-term absentee with a foot problem, while injury-prone full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White will be options for Arteta at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Tottenham
Given Arsenal have a week between this game and their encounter with Chelsea, Arteta is likely to field as full-strength a team as possible against relegation-threatened Spurs.
David Raya will retain his place in goal, while William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are nailed-on starters in front of the Spaniard. At right-back, Arteta is unlikely to sway from Jurrien Timber, although the Dutchman appeared visibly exhausted during the latter stages at Wolves. Many fans are calling for White’s minutes to increase.
On the left-hand side of Arsenal’s defence, Piero Hincapie’s recent uptick in form means he’ll likely start once again, although first-choice option Calafiori is pushing for a return to the starting eleven after a handful of cameo appearances in recent weeks.
In midfield, Arteta remains a staunch believer in deploying Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi together in every minute of every Premier League match. That is likely to continue against Spurs, despite Christian Norgaard’s best efforts in recent cup outings.
Ahead of them, Paul Merson has called for Eberechi Eze to start as a number ten. Saka showed glimpses of quality in this role in midweek, but the talismanic winger shines brightest in his natural position.
On the left, Trossard being passed fit likely means he starts ahead of Gabriel Martinelli in this one. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus’ dreadful cameo against Wolves has probably deterred Arteta from considering picking the Brazilian over Viktor Gyokeres at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Both Odegaard and Havertz are likely to start from the bench if passed fit.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Tottenham: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Tottenham vs Arsenal Prediction
Despite Arsenal’s struggles of late, it’s difficult to foresee anything but a Spurs defeat on Sunday. The Lilywhites will be playing their first match under new interim boss Igor Tudor, and whilst this could give them a lift, the depleted nature of their squad means they’ll be fielding a weakened side.
Tudor could be without 12 first-team players – including the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Cristian Romero – and will likely be forced to start a front three consisting of Dominic Solanke, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel. While the Gunners have shown some signs of defensive vulnerability over the last month, this Spurs attack is unlikely to trouble the league’s best defence.
Thus, it will merely be a matter of whether Arsenal have the tools to breach Tottenham’s defence. Over the course of 90 minutes, they really ought to find a way, whether it be through a set-piece or a moment of magic from Saka or Eze.
Prediction: Tottenham 0-2 Arsenal