cartilage free captain 
26-04-2024 11:57
26-04-2024 11:57
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal Preview: North London Distress
Since clobbering Villa and taking the lead in the race for fourth place, the wheels have come off for Tottenham Hotspur. Two (pretty awful) losses and a draw in the five fixtures since then have Spurs significant underdogs to reach the top four. England’s chance at an additional Champions League spot has all but vanished during that time as well, really pouring salt in the wound.
All is not lost for Tottenham, who trails Villa by six points with two matches in hand, but the time for results starts Sunday in the biggest fixture of the year. Arsenal is out of the Champions League but still alive in the Premier League title race, and both sides really need the three points. The stress is palpable, which just feels right, but this will not be a comfortable watch.
Tottenham Hotspur (5th, 60pts) vs. Arsenal (1st, 77pts)
Date: Sunday, April 28 Time: 9:00 am ET, 2:00 pm UK Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London TV: USA Network (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Unfortunately, Arsenal is playing really well and looks like a team capable and deserving (ugh) of winning the league. Losses to Villa and Bayern proved to be a little bit of a reality check, but dominance over Wolves and Chelsea have the Gunners right back on track. The visitors are clearly the better side and in better form, and there is a world where this does not end up all that close.
Way back in September, Tottenham gave it a good effort at the Emirates, earning a draw in a charged affair. James Maddison cooked Bukayo Saka to feed Heung-Min Son for his first goal, then Son quickly equalized after Arsenal’s second to make it 2-2. Meanwhile, last season was the only time in the past decade the away team has won a North London Derby; while Arsenal are looking very dangerous, Spurs are miles better this go around.
Stopping Saka
Destiny Udogie is the latest injury problem for Ange Postecoglou, and unfortunately the exciting young fullback is out for the rest of the season. While Udogie has been a bit inconsistent this season, he is certainly a large step above any sort of replacement, and Spurs will now need to find someone who can slow down Saka and one of the league’s best attacks.
Saka is sixth in the league in goals + assists and is the focal point for Arsenal’s offense. With Udogie out, this will be even more of a priority for the visitors, though maybe Postecoglou has a chance to counteract strategically. Whoever steps into the left side of the defense — likely Ben Davies or Emerson Royal — is going to be more defensively focused than Udogie. While this is a trade-off on the other end of the pitch, playing conservative down the defensive left flank is worth it.
For a bolder take, I am not completely against the idea of moving to a back three and playing more defensive-minded with the big fixtures coming up. However, Postecoglou has been pretty consistent in staying with his system regardless of personnel availability, so it seems unlikely that Radu Dragusin will come in for a traditional fullback.
The missing touch
Both of Tottenham’s goals in the reverse fixture came from Son, each assisted by Maddison. The first featured some fancy footwork in the box, the second a devastating counter. That sort of performance has been missing from both playmakers as of late, and therefore from the squad at large. Getting three points on Sunday will require that though, as helpful as Owen Goal has been.
These two stars seem impacted by injuries and fatigue and there is no cure for either over the hectic run-in. However, this squad is still incomplete and therefore needs its best players to step up when it matters most. Arsenal have not allowed over 1.0 xG in 2024 so the opportunities will be limited; capitalizing on those few chances will be the difference between a needed result and the beginning of the end.
As cliche as it sounds, big players step up in the biggest matches, and that is exactly what Sunday’s derby is. While form and analytics might tip the scales toward Arsenal, Tottenham absolutely has the ability to take all three points. That will not happen without the premier attackers showing up, and that may be what this matches comes down to.
All is not lost for Tottenham, who trails Villa by six points with two matches in hand, but the time for results starts Sunday in the biggest fixture of the year. Arsenal is out of the Champions League but still alive in the Premier League title race, and both sides really need the three points. The stress is palpable, which just feels right, but this will not be a comfortable watch.
Tottenham Hotspur (5th, 60pts) vs. Arsenal (1st, 77pts)
Date: Sunday, April 28 Time: 9:00 am ET, 2:00 pm UK Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London TV: USA Network (USA), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)
Unfortunately, Arsenal is playing really well and looks like a team capable and deserving (ugh) of winning the league. Losses to Villa and Bayern proved to be a little bit of a reality check, but dominance over Wolves and Chelsea have the Gunners right back on track. The visitors are clearly the better side and in better form, and there is a world where this does not end up all that close.
Way back in September, Tottenham gave it a good effort at the Emirates, earning a draw in a charged affair. James Maddison cooked Bukayo Saka to feed Heung-Min Son for his first goal, then Son quickly equalized after Arsenal’s second to make it 2-2. Meanwhile, last season was the only time in the past decade the away team has won a North London Derby; while Arsenal are looking very dangerous, Spurs are miles better this go around.
Stopping Saka
Destiny Udogie is the latest injury problem for Ange Postecoglou, and unfortunately the exciting young fullback is out for the rest of the season. While Udogie has been a bit inconsistent this season, he is certainly a large step above any sort of replacement, and Spurs will now need to find someone who can slow down Saka and one of the league’s best attacks.
Saka is sixth in the league in goals + assists and is the focal point for Arsenal’s offense. With Udogie out, this will be even more of a priority for the visitors, though maybe Postecoglou has a chance to counteract strategically. Whoever steps into the left side of the defense — likely Ben Davies or Emerson Royal — is going to be more defensively focused than Udogie. While this is a trade-off on the other end of the pitch, playing conservative down the defensive left flank is worth it.
For a bolder take, I am not completely against the idea of moving to a back three and playing more defensive-minded with the big fixtures coming up. However, Postecoglou has been pretty consistent in staying with his system regardless of personnel availability, so it seems unlikely that Radu Dragusin will come in for a traditional fullback.
The missing touch
Both of Tottenham’s goals in the reverse fixture came from Son, each assisted by Maddison. The first featured some fancy footwork in the box, the second a devastating counter. That sort of performance has been missing from both playmakers as of late, and therefore from the squad at large. Getting three points on Sunday will require that though, as helpful as Owen Goal has been.
These two stars seem impacted by injuries and fatigue and there is no cure for either over the hectic run-in. However, this squad is still incomplete and therefore needs its best players to step up when it matters most. Arsenal have not allowed over 1.0 xG in 2024 so the opportunities will be limited; capitalizing on those few chances will be the difference between a needed result and the beginning of the end.
As cliche as it sounds, big players step up in the biggest matches, and that is exactly what Sunday’s derby is. While form and analytics might tip the scales toward Arsenal, Tottenham absolutely has the ability to take all three points. That will not happen without the premier attackers showing up, and that may be what this matches comes down to.