Arsenal channel the spirit of Tony Adams to pass huge test of title credentials

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Even so early in the season this felt like a significant test of Arsenal’s candidacy to finally again win the Premier League. In their all-black away kit, they passed with flying colours.
The strip may have been modern but the performance was something of a throwback. One-nil to the Arsenal?
It had a familiar ring to it as they doggedly kept a clean sheet, scored and then relatively comfortably saw out the remainder of the game. All that was missing was Tony Adams waving his arm in the air and marshalling a rock-solid backline.
This was a different way to win and, for that, was all the more satisfying for manager Mikel Arteta. He certainly appeared content.
In fact, it oozed maturity and belief and that was typified by their central defensive partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes which is, surely, the best in Europe at present. It is a formidable, complementary combination and while Tottenham’s new £65 million striker Dominic Solanke struggled he really was up against it.
Anything else but a victory in the north London derby would, the reality is, and as ludicrous as it sounds, have damaged Arsenal’s chances of keeping pace with Manchester City – who they face next Sunday – and it had to be achieved without the heart of their midfield.
Injury to Martin Odegaard and suspension for Declan Rice appeared to leave Arsenal vulnerable but – again – the frustration belonged to toothless, tame Tottenham as they failed to capitalise in the capital’s biggest game.
The winning goal? A close-range bullet header from Gabriel with Arsenal again profiting from a set-piece – it is 24 goals in the league for them since the start of last season, more than any other side – and Spurs once more conceding cheaply.
The fault lay with some poor defending from Cristian Romero who was far too weak, pushed out of the way by Gabriel and then forlornly appealed to referee Jarred Gillett as the ball ended up in the net. Was it a foul? There did not appear to be much in it.
Indeed three of Arsenal’s last four goals against Spurs have come from corners which suggests one team is doing their homework better than the other. It suggests that Arsenal know that Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is particularly weak at set-pieces, remaining rooted to his goal-line as he was once again. There was not even any need this time for Ben White to try and fiddle with Vicario’s gloves.
It means that Arsenal have now won their last three visits to Tottenham, the first time that has happened since 1988, which is an appalling record for the home side, raising the pressure on head coach Ange Postecoglou.
There were boos at the end and although, maybe, some were aimed at Gillett he was not the only target.
Spurs will argue that Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber should have been sent off in a feisty first-half, when he first fouled Pedro Porro and then clashed with Vicario as the pair sparked a melee. But they simply did not do enough and have now lost two of their opening four league games, winning just once.
At the start of what is a big week for Arsenal – they face Atalanta away on Thursday in the Champions League before travelling to City – this was a big statement performance.
Beforehand it felt, without Odegaard and Rice, that they would have accepted a draw even though that would have left them four points behind City. Instead they can face the champions just two points in arrears and knowing they can cope without their chief creator and their driving force if they have to.
City will be a far more challenging proposition, of course they will, and certainly Rice and possibly Odegaard will be back, but in their absence others stepped up. Jorginho, for example, has barely played, the 32-year-old tired and cramped up badly but he had the desire to see this through.
Arteta’s squad is being stretched and that is a good test. Raheem Sterling came on for his debut but there was concern over an injury to Bukayo Saka. As Arteta looked at his bench, following that injury, he was gazing at a bunch of kids and defender Jakub Kiwior.
There will not be many games this season when Arsenal claim just 37 per cent possession and have a XG – expected goals – of only 0.7 but it simply did not feel like some fluky, backs-against-the-walls rearguard action. There was far more control than that, even without the ball.
Arsenal were in their change kit because the Premier League had deemed their home number has far too much white in it – and therefore clashed with Spurs who will have to wear their away strip in the reverse fixture in mid-January.
Where will both sides be by then? For all the faith in Postecoglou, Spurs must be stronger than this if they are to fulfil their ambition of finishing in the top four. They ended last season in fifth, but 23 points behind Arsenal and, here, they provided precious little evidence that they will narrow that gap.
There was a first-time shot from Dejan Kulusevski, a looping header by Solanke that bounced a foot wide and the forward then dallied and wasted the chance to shoot but, in truth, Spurs cannot point to a host of chances. Especially after they conceded when they were reduced to speculative efforts. Postecoglou rued the lack of conviction in attack but that was true of defence, also.
If you cannot win then do not lose and a draw would have hurt Arsenal, as they knew. Instead they won and deservedly so. It was a display that suggested they have the strength – in mind as much as body – to again be in this title race.
“We dominated the game, the football was there we just conceded from a set-piece again. We did it last season and it is really frustrating. I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100%, it’s a tough moment and we have to stick together.
“We are getting into the final third but the players have to take the responsiblity to score. It is the hardest part of football, making the right decision and being clinical.
“We will bounce back strong, there is a long way to go.”
“I thought it was a tight game all the way along. we controlled it for the most part and got off to a good start. We didn’t capitalise on the opportunities and we were unable to get on top of them.
“We lost concentration [for the goal]. We’ve got some big guys in there who really attack the ball and we just switched off for a second.
“I think I’ve said my piece. For the most part we controlled the game today, had good territory and possession but we didn’t make the most of it and we got punished.”
“I really did, for me the first time so even nicer. We did it three times in a row now and you felt the excitement in the dressing room after the game.
“You know how bad the fans want to win this game but it’s the same for every game. You prepare for every game the same way but it felt really nice winning this one.
“Another clean sheet which is really good from our team. Credit to Tottenham, they started really well but we showed again today it’s really hard to score against us. We need just one goal to win the game.
“I am really, really enjoying it even with all these games coming up. The feeling of being fit is an amazing feeling. It’s a true honour. We showed up today and credit to everyone who came in.”
“The resilience that we showed. We knew it would be a tough match and that made it easier. They create an unbelievable atmosphere. We should have done more in the first half, but we knew we were a bit threat on set plays and we knew we could hurt them. 
“We weren’t our best with the ball today, we did a lot of simple things wrong that didn’t allow us to have that continuity. They jump and press every single ball which makes it difficult. The way we defended was so strong.
“We want to play a different game, especially without the ball in different areas of the pitch, but they have a difficult structure to match up against. We were exposed. It’s not putting pressure on the goalkeeper, it’s heading the ball, it’s what we’ve done. Creating the right timings to score the goals.
“It’s a real compliment to the team. Any player in any area of the pitch is ready to do what a lot of people call ‘the ugly things’ and they enjoy to do that part of the game. Then you start to be a complete team to win in any context. 
“I’m delighted, because the team over a season has to go over a lot of hurdles. It was difficult because we have lost a lot of important players for us. Those who waited for the chance trained and behaved in the right manner. This is the result.”
Paul Merson:
“I would be disappointed if I didn’t get a foul. 
“Romero is in the wrong position, everything is wrong about his defending. You have to be side on, seeing the ball and the player. But I would expect a foul.”
Les Ferdinand:
“As the ball comes in [for the goal], he [Romero] just turns his back on it, he gets a little shove in the back and if a centre forward does that, the referee gives a foul again him, but they do not even look at it.
“But he does need to be stronger, it is poor defending, but he does get a shove in his back.”
“Tottenham are so susceptible defensively that it’s a real problem. They are not being clinical enough either which is what the real hammer blow is.
“If you’re going to be that offensive and that open and free, you’ve got to bang the ball in the back of the net and they’re not doing that.
“Dominic Solanke is having a rough start. He was playing against two of the best today. The pressure is going to start to build a bit on the manager.”
“We had to work really hard. But we knew it would be a difficult game. In these days you have to work really hard, you have to count on your team-mates, one where we stick together. 
“We know we can count on each other. Now we have players who are missing but we have a total team, we know whoever is going to come on will be ready to help. As you saw today, everyone was ready. We are proud and happy for the team.”
“We knew it was a difficult game. We are so happy to win here, let’s enjoy it now.
“It [the winning goal] means a lot, because it’s so positive to the team. We had a difficult time in the game.”
“It is Tottenham’s Kryptonite, they cannot defend from corners, but Arsenal and Aston Villa are the best at corners, the detail, good delivery in, they are attacking the ball, they were unlucky in the first half, but with the right delivery in the second half from Saka and Gabriel is just too strong for Romero and it is a fantastic header.”
6 – Arsenal have won six consecutive Premier League away games for the first time since March-September 2013, when they won eight in a row under Arsène Wenger. They’ve also now won three consecutive away north London derbies for the first time since September 1988. Resistance. pic.twitter.com/OLQReMHo1x
Remember you can give your reaction to the north London derby in the comments section.
“It was like ‘One Nil to the Arsenal’ today. For that team to play that well, and if one player doesn’t do their job they get cut through like a knife through butter.
“Given it was international week and there wasn’t much time to work on it, job well done.”
“Really impressive day for Arsenal. 1-0 to the Arsenal was the song that used to be sung. But to be defensively solid and not be the same in attack and navigate a victory, it’s really impressive.
“It wasn’t pretty from Mikel Arteta’s side but he got the job done.”
There is the final whistle and Arsenal win the north London derby 1-0. Three wins in a row for Mikel Arteta’s side away at Tottenham. Gabriel’s goal the difference on the day.
Reigning victorious on derby day 🤩 pic.twitter.com/8jA04cHSaV
Odobert shoots from range and it nearly deflects into the goal but it came off Werner in an offside position so crisis averted for the visitors.
The seconds are ticking away and Arsenal are edging closer to three points in the north London derby.
Very close to the equaliser. It opens up for Kulusevski in a central position around 25 yards out. He tries to pick out the top corner but it goes narrowly over the bar.
Five added minutes.
Tottenham are running out of time to find an equaliser and they have no quality in the final third. A lot of aimless crosses. Into the 90th minute.
Porro sends in a cross from the right and finds the head of Romero, who is up from centre-back. It is a fairly routine save for Raya.
The free-kick comes to nothing.
Tottenham have a free-kick in a good position on the left…
Saka is going to have to come off.
OFF Saka
ON Nwaneri
Saka has gone down, much to the ire of the home crowd who feel like he is wasting time.
Another good chance for the home side as Porro has the opportunity on the right to send in a dangerous ball but the cross is poor.
Not long after Sarr tries his luck once again from distance but he cannot keep his effort on target.
Double Arsenal change:
OFF Trossard, Martinelli
ON Sterling, Jesus
Tottenham change:
OFF Maddison
ON Werner
A few groans and moans inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the home fans grow more and more concerned as we head towards the final ten minutes of normal time. Both teams are preparing changes, with Arsenal set to bring on Sterling for his debut.
Trossard has a shot saved by Vicario but the offside flag was already up in the build-up so it would not have counted anyway.
Tottenham have had over 60% possession but have lacked a clinical, cutting edge in the final third.
Maddison sends in a delivery from the left but Solanke cannot quite get on the end of it.
Sarr tries his luck from distance but it does not really trouble Raya.
Double Tottenham change:
OFF Bentancur, Johnson
ON Sarr, Odobert
Gabriel (64’)
Arsenal take the lead. Saka sends in the inswinger from the right onto the head of Gabriel inside the six-yard box. He has a free header and hammers his header past Vicario. How was he that free that close to the goal? The Arsenal players go and celebrate right in front of their travelling support.
“Set pieces were the Achilles heel of Tottenham all of last season, so it’s no surprise Arsenal opened the scoring from one. Spurs had dealt relatively well with the corners they faced in the first half, but Vicario got boxed in, with White managing to step in front of him before Gabriel headed the ball into the net.”
Tottenham have another corner but they have wasted quite a number today. Maddison this time will take an outswinger from the right. This time it is sent into a good area but Tottenham cannot take advantage.
Arsenal then break through Havertz. Saka has a shot with his preferred left foot from the edge of the box. His effort is blocked but Arsenal will have a corner of their own…
Tame from Johnson. He is found out wide on the right and dribbles into the box. He cuts onto his left but the shot lacks any sort of power and Raya makes the easiest of saves. He has to show more quality in that position.
Johnson’s ball across is diverted behind by Gabriel and Tottenham have a corner on the right-hand side, which Kulusevski will take. The Swede takes it short to Porro, whose cross is terrible and massively over-hit.
After sliding in to win the ball back for his side, Romero has now gone down, clutching his thigh. He is back on his feet and will continue.
Kulusevski’s cross from the right is diverted behind by White for another Tottenham corner. The home side have the momentum at the moment and Arsenal will be looking to get through this period unscathed. Nothing comes from the corner.
Eighth booking of the game and that is one of the easiest. Jorginho hauls Maddison down and that is what you call a clear yellow card.
Solanke wins the ball back for the home side and plays it out to Johnson on the right. Solanke continues his run and meets Johnson’s cross. It came off Arsenal last and Tottenham have a corner. The hosts take it short and Maddison then whips it in. Van de Ven wins the header but Raya makes the save.
Martinelli sends in a cross from the left trying to pick out Saka at the far post but Vicario is out to smother the cross.
We are back under way in the north London derby. Will we see more yellow cards? I think so, and it looks quite likely that there might be a red.
“There was a tackle here last year with Curtis Jones getting sent off for tackling Yves Bissouma. It’s very similar.
“[Jurrien] Timber is incredibly lucky. Other referees would have sent him off. It’s excessive force he has gone in with, it’s an unnatural action.”
“Tottenham went in at the half-time break with five players on yellow cards. Van de Ven and Kulusevski were the latest players to go into the book on the stroke of half-time. Referee Jarred Gillett was booed by the home supporters and Spurs will need to be careful in the second period.
Arsenal picked up two yellow cards in the first half – making seven in total, which is the joint-most cards ever shown in the first half of the Premier League game. Obviously, I knew this stat myself and did not copy it from the Opta X account…”
7 – There were seven yellows cards in the first half of today’s north London derby (5 Tottenham, 2 Arsenal), the joint-most cards ever shown in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match. Feisty. pic.twitter.com/Mdts1R8JYH
The mind games and battles began before the match even started as the Arsenal mascot gave the Tottenham ones grief. Luke Edwards has the full story.
There is the whistle and it remains all square at the break. No goals but it has been action-packed.
Two bookings for Tottenham in the same phase. Van de Ven is shown yellow for a heavy foul on Trossard and then Kulusevski hauls back Havertz cynically and is also booked. Both the right calls and now Tottenham have been shown five yellow cards in this first half.
Trossard gives away the ball just outside his own box and Kulusevski finds Johnson on the right-hand side of the box. The Welshman cannot keep his shot down and it goes over the bar.
There are three added minutes at the end of this first half.
Tottenham break and will have a corner at the end of it as Timber blocks Johnson’s shot. Kulusevski’s delivery does not beat the front man, where Havertz heads away.
Arsenal have missed a trick with their last few corners. They have not put the delivery right on Vicario despite his frailties.
Vicario has now been booked for his part in the scuffle. Timber is a little lucky he was not shown a second yellow in the melee.
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones was sent off on this ground for something similar but VAR sticks with the yellow.
“There were loud boos around the Tottenham stadium when Vicario got booked for grabbing Timber after his challenge on Porro. The big surprise was that Romero didn’t get more involved, despite being quickly on the scene.”
Here we go. It is all kicking off. Timber goes in on Porro and both sides come together. Referee Jarred Gillett gives a yellow but Porro stays down. Both teams clash but VAR has confirmed the on-field decision.
Vicario is a lucky, lucky boy. Martinelli sends in an inswinger from the left and Vicario makes an absolute mess of punching the ball away. Arsenal will have another corner from the other side as it is adjudged it came off Vicario last.
Arsenal then make a meal of the delivery and Tottenham clear. Back when these sides met in April in this stadium Vicario had a mare from corners. Surely Arsenal will just put every delivery on him.
Jarred Gillett gets his yellow card out to book Bentancur for a foul on Havertz. That seemed a harsh yellow but Gillett points to Bentancur fouling him twice in that sequence. Ange Postecoglou seems a little bemused and probably understandably so.
Close for Solanke. Maddison stands up a cross from the left-hand side of the box. Solanke wins the header at the back post and it loops towards the far corner, but it goes just wide of the post. Raya may have had it covered.
Tottenham get their first booking and it is Udogie for a late challenge on Saka. Not the worst challenge but referee Jarred Gillett decides it is enough for a yellow.
Saka finds Havertz at the far corner with a cross from the right but it ends up being a reasonably comfortable save for Vicario.
Raya drops the ball under pressure from Solanke and it looks like it may have crossed the line but the whistle has gone to penalise Solanke. Looking at the replays there is not much in that. It seemingly will always get given but there was hardly any contact.
Martinelli should do better. He is in down the left-hand side. He has a choice to make; shoot or try and square it to Saka. He goes for the former but it is a fairly simple save for Vicario. This game is opening up.
“Arteta just turned towards the Arsenal bench in anger after Martinelli elected to shoot instead of passing to Saka after racing free on the left. Arsenal are playing very much on the counter attack but look dangerous every time they break.”
Chance for Arsenal. Martinelli skips past Porro down the left and stands up a cross. Havertz meets it and heads towards goal, to be denied by Vicario. Arsenal are appealing for a penalty for handball against Romero but the ball came back off Vicario from such a short distance and so quickly that it will never get given.
The first booking of the game goes to Saliba, much to the home crowd’s delight. Saliba is penalised for a foul and then carries the ball away with him to delay the restart. Jarred Gillett is having none of it and books Saliba. Arsenal have been taking their time over their own restarts and Gillett seems to be on to them.
Solanke, you have to do better. Arsenal take a huge risk at the back and Son intercepts. The ball comes to Solanke, on the edge of the box in a central position. He has so much time to pick his spot but he takes too long and the ball is taken off him.
It would not be a derby without some scuffles. Timber and Johnson get caught up with one another but referee Jarred Gillett decides just a talking to is necessary, which was the right call.
White goes in heavily on Son down the left and Tottenham will have a free-kick in a good area. Maddison’s delivery is a poor one and Arsenal can easily clear.
Saka plays a good one-two with White down the right and sends in the delivery, but Porro is on hand to clear away.
“Arsenal have started in a 4-4-2 formation with Trossard partnering Havertz up front. It gives Spurs a numerical advantage in midfield that they will hope to take advantage of.”
Martinelli prods behind under pressure, which gives Tottenham their second corner of the game inside the opening 10 minutes. Kulusevski sends it in but Havertz heads away.
Tottenham keep it alive and send it back through Kulusevski. It is a dangerous delivery, which Raya does well to punch away from danger.
First chance of the match comes for the hosts. Solanke finds Son on the left-hand side of the box and he cuts it back to Kulusevski, whose strike is saved by Raya and goes behind for their first corner of the game. Maddison’s deep delivery is too flighted and it is an easy catch for Raya.
Tottenham have gone very attacking from the start with their line-up. Bentancur could end up getting overrun in midfield with Maddison and Kulusevski playing alongside him. Those two are very much attack-minded players so are not renowned for their defensive work. Will Ange Postecoglou regret that or will the risk pay off?
Arsenal have the first corner of the match after just 25 seconds. Quick-thinking from a throw-in forces van de Ven into heading behind. Saka takes but his delivery cannot beat the first man, Porro, who heads away from danger.
We are under way in the north London derby.
“Tottenham have beaten Liverpool and Manchester United under Ange Postecoglou, but getting a win against Arsenal would be his biggest to date.”
The mind games and battles have already begun in the tunnel and it does not even involve the players. An Arsenal mascot has been trying to get into the heads of the Tottenham mascots. Just one Arsenal mascot but he is certainly got some confidence to give it to the Tottenham kids.
Both sides now emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off in the north London derby.
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Solanke.
Substitutes: Forster, Spence, Davies, Dragusin, Gray, Sarr, Bergvall, Odobert, Werner.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Jorginho, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Substitutes: Neto, Kiwior, Kacurri, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Sterling, Nwaneri, Jesus, Kabia.
It’s almost go-time 👀 pic.twitter.com/OIE2rO3qm2
📍🏡 pic.twitter.com/ABGueAZ7VS
Let’s get to work! 👊 🌟 @BetMGMUK pic.twitter.com/l2gMeuEbnt
“We are all pumped up. We all know the history of this game and at the end it is about three points but we want to win the game and we are going to give everything for that.”
On changes to Arsenal’s side: 
“We are going to see. We miss two or three players but we have a big squad and players that can competed for different positions. We have to change a bit. We hope to play fluent and we have trained a lot for that.
“It’s massive for us. It is very important that we keep on going and win games. It would be nice to kick off the week with a win and that’s why we came here and hopefully that’s what we are going to do.”
“For everyone it is a big game and as a derby we want to win. As a derby we want to win and we hope it goes well.
“Today is important to win to build the momentum and positivity and we have to start today.
“I think I prepare well, the team prepare well and it is important for us to give our best performance and we hope it goes well.”
A home debut for @DomSolanke! 🤍 pic.twitter.com/Cz1HbNk8NW
Spurs will be looking to put an early dent in Arsenal’s latest title challenge in this North London derby. Back your predictions for the big match on these best betting sites.
On injuries:
“No excuses. That’s the context of football. Unfortunately these things happened in the international break, but we have to prove a point.
“You will see [how the team lines up]. Kai Havertz has done really well. He’s had to adapt a little bit, if we don’t, we have a problem. The team has to show their resilience and the level and quality we already have. Those injuries could have happened to anybody. You have to stand up and the collective has to be the difference.
“We are really happy with Raheem Sterling, we have to make it work. When you have a player like this, you are tempted [to put him straight in] . He’s missed a lot of football, but he’s in a good place.”
On his new contract:
“For me, there was never a doubt [about his new contract]. I am very privileged to be in the situation that I am. 
“Win today, that’s the only target. It’s about the performance and what we do daily. We know the standards. We know since we started this process, we have to match it or be better.”
“It’s a big and exciting game. These are the ones you want to be involved in.
“It [Arsenal’s injuries] really doesn’t play any factor into our thinking. You’re playing against a top team, and whoever they put out there it will be a big contest. We’ve got some players back which is really pleasing. 
“Bissouma is the only one who misses out. He tried yesterday, but with the international break there wasn’t any point risking.
“We’ve played really well but we have missed a bit of cutting edge. Dom Solanke trained well this week, it’s his first home game and he’s looking forward to getting amongst it. We’ve seen when the fans are right behind us, we can beat anyone, we need that today.”
Ange Postecoglou welcomes back Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke after injury. Tottenham make four changes in total from their defeat at Newcastle just before the international break.
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Solanke.
Substitutes: Forster, Spence, Davies, Dragusin, Gray, Sarr, Bergvall, Odobert, Werner.
Arsenal make two changes from their 1-1 draw with Brighton. Declan Rice misses out through suspension while captain Martin Odegaard picked up an ankle injury on Norway duty. Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli come into the starting XI. Oleksandr Zinchenko misses out due to a calf injury.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Jorginho, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Substitutes: Neto, Kiwior, Kacurri, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Sterling, Nwaneri, Jesus, Kabia.
In the building 🗂️📍Tottenham Hotspur Stadium pic.twitter.com/wvlyg3IWE6
Locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/n9KC5gMwrI
⚫️ 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔴©️ Jorginho skippers the side🪄 Trossard pulling the strings⚡️ Martinelli out on the wingLet’s make it count, Gunners ✊ pic.twitter.com/5P7oGVRnUc
The squad is set. 🙌🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/zPDWV1Ghrl
On his best memories of the north London derby: “Probably afterwards, especially when you win at home and you celebrate with your supporters and you know how much it means. It’s something special and we have so many huge Arsenal supporters since the day that they were born and looking at our staff, we have some good examples around the first team as well. They come in after the game and you can see the emotion and what it means for them. It’s a privilege to have the power to contribute to making someone really happy.”
On Raheem Sterling and if he could be involved against Tottenham: “He looks great! First of all, because he’s got a big smile on his face, a lot of energy. He’s at it and wants to prove a point. When someone has got that in their belly, you sense it straight away. Obviously, I don’t need to discover anything about his quality and what he can bring to the team.”
On the respect he has for Ange Postecoglou: “I admire him. I respect him. I think he’s been an inspirational coach because he’s done things in his own way in various contexts and in various countries. He has a really unique way of thinking about the game and his philosophy, and I love it. He stands by it and I think he represents himself and the club in a really good way.”
After much adjudication, I would go Partey, Jorginho; Havertz, Trossard in a box, Saka and Martinelli high and wide. Provides technical security centrally around the box in absence of Odegaard, and KH can work back. Don’t think VdV and Romero will like having no one to mark.
Team news expected in just under ten minutes…
So to perhaps the most consistently entertaining Premier League fixtures of the past two decades. 
Unlike other derbies which boast a similar historic pedigree, Spurs vs Arsenal always seems to deliver on the pre-match hype, at least of late. 
And this year, again, there feels to be more riding it on than just partisan loyalties. 
Arsenal, chasing a first Premier League title under Mikel Arteta, will be five points off Man City if they lose today with a trip to the Etihad upcoming next Sunday. 
Add to that mix the absences of midfield linchpins Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice and you have a storm brewing that Mikel Arteta will be eager to assuage.
“I want to have the energy, the enthusiasm for the next day, the next game and prepare that in the best possible way and that’s what we’re going to do,” Arteta said.
“ We’re going to go to Spurs with unbelievable energy and believe that we’re going to go there to be ourselves and try to win the game.”
For Spurs, this has had the feeling of a season that has not really gotten going. Despite being on top for large swathes of their three games, they have only four points to show for their efforts.
A 2-1 loss to Newcastle before the international break stung and despite the undoubted confidence the club has in Ange Postecoglou, a loss here would turn up the pressure gauge that bit more.
“It’s a great measure but it’s not just about winning. You can win a game like this and walk away knowing they played us off the park in reality,” Postecoglou said. 
“ I’ve always said to go out there against the best and perform, that’s the best measure.
“Then hopefully you will win the game as well, because ultimately that’s what you want to do. 
“If we go out on Sunday, dominate this game, create more chances, really nullify them, then I think, irrespective of the result, the players will walk off thinking ‘okay next time we’ll have another crack at it’.”