Sunday at 17:30 o'clock (Central European Time) we will see North London Derby between old rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. One more exciting game from England Premier League is in front of us. Here is how I see those two clubs so far this season.
Arsenal
Arsenal won first 2 games against Newcastle away 1:0 and against Burnley at home 2:1. They didn't look superb against Newcastle, my opinion is they played enough to win Gordies. They rested some players in this game. Auba scored goal, they had few more chances and did not let Newcastle to make any serious threat on Leno's goal. They didn't look superb against Burnley too. This club which usually park the bus in front of goal was able to make some pressure on them. There was some panicking between Luiz and team mates in passing in last line, but Arsenal managed to win match with 2:1. Third game was against Liverpool and it was easily lost with 3:1. My opinion is that this defense did not assemble properly by now. I think Luiz is not making it any better. However on other side they know how to press other side, they can pass fast between themselves and have very good attack from Auba, over Lacazette to new signing Pepe. All in one they are not on top of their form, but they are not to bad either.
Tottenham
Spurs looked very bad against Aston Villa, concede goal and then somehow turn result to their favor after Eriksen came in. Against Manchester City they were very inferior on the pitch, but very clinical in front of goal and despite 30:3 disparity in shots at goal managed to end game with 2:2. Then came Newcastle. Everyone thought it will be 3 or 4 in the net, but Spurs failed to score against them. Not only failed to score but fail to make more than 3 chances during entire game despite 80% possession. Ball just did not go fast enough between players and did not go forward. Defense made blunder and Joelinton scored a goal and struggling side went home with 3 points. That made some nervousness between players for sure.
Bad communication between Rose and Sanchez, Sanchez's bad positioning, Sissoko's bad cross block attempt lead to goal. Spurs are not good backwards, Rose is just average player, Sanchez make big blunders during game and now they have KWP and Foyth both injured and out of squad for North London derby. Aurier is on exit door from club. He might play or might sign for other club before Sunday as Poch does not count on him. That makes Spurs without real right back for this game. If Aurier is unavailable Poch might put Sissoko there. That would be interesting. New signing N'Dombele is also injured and can't play. That's big blow for Spurs. There are even some rumors saying Poch will leave Spurs after this game. Club said it's rubbish and fake news. Tottenham waits this game in not good mood.
Conclusion
Both clubs do not look superb at the moment. They have issues, Arsenal might look better so far, but that does not guarantee they will win derby. I expect that Arsenal press Spurs hard, to try to dominate play and to exploit holes in Spurs defense. Spurs will wait their chance to make quick transition and counter attack and if possible to score over Kane, Lucas or Son. Son has nice history with Luiz from last season dribbling in 3:1 victory. He might do something in this game. Last game between these rivals brought us game where Arsenal looked much better lead 1:0, Spurs looked terrified like unable to pass from some kind of strange fear, but then suddenly scored 2 goals and converted game to 1:2. Arsenal equalized and then when was crucial, when Spurs tried to organize some counter attacks for possible win Foyth made big blunder and gave Arsenal ball for 3:2. Torreira scored 4th later on and game ended 4:2 for Arsenal.
When we look results of Spurs only in 2019 year they are not to good. There are to many defeats which shows that something is not good, something is missing. I can't define exactly what it is. It's obvious defense is not the best, but number of created chances per game rise concern.
As Spurs fan I hope they will not be terrified from beginning. I hope they will play serious from start of the game. My big wishes are that football daddy Ian Vertonghen (aka super Ian) will be ready for game and that magician Pochettino find solution for right back problems. This is kind of challenge he likes. In any case I am afraid that Spurs will need at least 3 goals to win this game and I am not sure they can score that much.
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