Premier League analysis: Five key battles in Tottenham vs Arsenal clash
This Sunday sees the return of the North London derby as Arsenal make the short trip across the capital to face old rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham have had a somewhat mixed start to the season, following up a 1-1 opening-day draw at Leicester City with a 4-0 demolition of Everton and a 2-1 loss to Newcastle United.
Arsenal opened their campaign with a couple of 2-0 wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa before struggling to a 1-1 draw with Brighton last time out.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Tottenham fall agonisingly short of a brilliant comeback in a 3-2 loss to the Gunners while the game at the Emirates was a 2-2 stalemate.
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Michael Davey considers five key battles in the Super Sunday showdown at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Ange Postecoglou vs Mikel Arteta
In the dugout, it is an exciting clash between two progressive footballing philosophies as Ange Postecoglou and Mikel Arteta go head-to-head.
The first Australian to manage in the Premier League, Postecoglou was drafted in by Tottenham a year ago on the back of a trophy-laden stint at Celtic.
Spurs, for their part, were in dire need of a cultural reset after a turbulent few years under the uninspired direction of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte.
Postecoglou duly brought with him an expansive, high-octane approach to football. Utilising a high press, offensive backline, and aggressive attitude to regaining possession, his sides regularly attempt to overload attacking positions and force the issue rather than sit back.
Arteta, it must be said, arrived at Arsenal in similar circumstances. The lacklustre end to Arsene Wenger’s reign together with the disappointment of Unai Emery’s spell in charge led to the need for a fresh start at the Emirates. And after a bumpy start, Arteta has now firmly moulded Arsenal into a title-challenging outfit.
A proponent of controlled possession and a unified defensive set-up, the Spaniard uses compact positional play to build on his players’ strengths. Fast transitions and meticulous spatial awareness further lend Arteta’s teams a sense of versatility and adaptability.
With neither manager likely to give an inch this early in the campaign, Sunday’s game promises to be an open-ended and hard-fought affair.
In particular, Tottenham’s loss on matchday three will give them a certain determination, if not outright desperation, to take the game to Arsenal this weekend and get their season back on track.
Leandro Trossard vs James Maddison
Absences in key positions have opened the door for Leandro Trossard to stake a claim in the Arsenal midfield, but he will have to contend with James Maddison in order to do so.
Signed from Brighton 18 months ago, Trossard has found it hard to cement a starting place in an Arsenal side on an upward trajectory although it is not for a lack of trying.
As a result, he has largely and unhappily had to make do with a place on the bench.
On his day, the two-footed Belgian is a highly adaptable and tactical player who offers both creativity and scoring prowess.
An accomplished not to mention direct passer of the ball, Trossard is especially effective when given the licence to dictate build-up play.
His opposite number Maddison is likewise a brilliant distributor in the middle of the park.
Snapped up from a relegated Leicester at the start of last season, he was seen as the perfect addition to help kickstart the era of ‘Angeball’ in North London.
Combining strong ball-carrying abilities with an extraordinary offensive vision, Maddison provides Postecoglou with a direct, box-to-box midfield option.
While his penchant for risky attacking play does not lend itself to statistical supremacy, Maddison retains the useful capacity to unlock opposition defences in the blink of an eye.
After a goal-scoring yet subdued outing against Brighton two weeks ago, Trossard made it clear that he wants to start.
With Martin Odegaard injured and Declan Rice suspended, Trossard will now get the chance to make his mark against the tricky Maddison.
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Cristian Romero vs Arsenal attack
With the Gunners bringing a star-studded forward line to the game on Sunday, it is up to Cristian Romero to marshal the Tottenham defence.
Spurs have lost several high-profile defenders over the last few years and as a result now look to Romero as the defensive general.
Having helped Argentina to two Copa America titles as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Romero has no shortage of pedigree in the role.
Considered a pro-active defender, the Argentinian is known for his anticipatory positioning and clever decision-making in high-pressure situations.
Adept in the air and physical in the duel, Romero has become an integral part of an otherwise inexperienced Tottenham backline.
The Arsenal attack, on the other hand, needs no introduction. From Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz to Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli, now with the loan addition of Raheem Sterling, the Gunners forwards are some of the best and most decorated in the division.
Arteta’s side scored 91 goals in the Premier League last season, second only to champions Manchester City’s 96.
A free-flowing and hard-to-contain side, Arsenal are rarely shut out by opposition defences. And with five goals in three games this term, that looks set to continue.
Ultimately, it falls to Romero to organise the Spurs defence against Arsenal.
Relatively long-serving by comparison to his team-mates, it will be up to him to lead by example and afford the much-vaunted Gunners forwards no space and, crucially, no comfort to play their game.
William Saliba vs Heung-min Son
On the opposite end of the pitch, Arsenal’s talismanic defender William Saliba must find a way to nullify Tottenham’s equally talismanic striker Heung-min Son.
A promising but raw addition from Saint-Etienne back in 2019, Saliba required a series of loans away from the Emirates in order to grow into his talent.
Now at Arsenal for the long-term, the Frenchman has made the centre-back berth his own over the last two, title-challenging years.
Preferring to step out of defence and confront opposition attackers in less dangerous areas, Saliba is an active presence in the Gunners backline.
Strong in the air and in the tackle, he rarely concedes fouls and uses his footballing IQ to make timely interventions.
This will be key on Sunday as Son is, quite simply, a world-class forward.
One of the greatest Asian players of all time, the South Korean can play effectively anywhere across the attack.
Since the departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich a season ago, Son has taken full control of the Spurs offence and is showing no signs of letting up at 32 years of age.
Offering explosive pace, a deft sense of movement, and brilliant ball control, Son regularly combines goals with assists in a double threat.
Key to the adoration of his fans, he also brings a tireless work ethic plus an enduring willingness to help out in defence.
With City looking typically invincible, the Gunners absolutely cannot afford any more early hiccups in the fight for the title.
It thus comes down to Saliba to shackle Son in the derby and hopefully provide the foundation for a crucial three points.
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Guglielmo Vicario vs David Raya
One of the more understated battles will see two somewhat maligned goalkeepers meet in Guglielmo Vicario and David Raya.
A Postecoglou signing, Vicario had a complicated first season at Tottenham as he combined good saves with lapses of concentration in a team that altogether offered its opponents too many chances. Now settled in London, the Italian is looking more composed and assertive.
While filling the shoes of departed club legend Hugo Lloris was always going to be difficult, Vicario does at least bring modern ball-playing skills to the table.
He heavily favours participating in build-up play and is growing into his role in Postecoglou’s progressive system.
Raya has had a similarly tough time at Arsenal. Signed from Brentford as a replacement for the popular Aaron Ramsdale, Raya was a question mark for many.
Some rash initial performances made matters worse, but he has since transformed into a solid and dependable goalkeeper.
A traditional sweeper-keeper, the Spaniard is happiest playing with a high line and does not shy away from making ground passes. This makes him the perfect goalkeeper for Arteta, who has consistently stood by his decision to sign Raya.
Although they do not typically grab the headlines or even the love of their own fans, Vicario and Raya are set to figure prominently in the derby.
Playing out from the back is the order of the day, so they will both have to put their best foot forward, literally as well as figuratively.
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