Match Preview: Arsenal v Tottenham; Premier League Match Day 3

On one level it hardly seems the time for a North London Derby. This early in the season and frankly outside of bragging rights there isn’t much we will be able to tell about either team from it. Win, lose or draw, either team should be able to use the remaining 35 games to right and wrong that comes when Arsenal and Tottenham square off this Sunday in the first North London Derby of this very young season.

But just because it really isn’t going to determine much doesn’t mean it isn’t chock full of nerves and excitement. The affiar has resulted in 30 goals over the last 5 pairings of these two teams. Ten of those goals have come at the Emirates.

The focus of course is where the two clubs are with their work in the transfer window. Tottenham have been real winners there, spending over £110 million to completely revamp their squad and try and change their annual fortunes versus Arsenal. Arsenal. . . well they’ve spent £0 so far. And because of the glowing disparity in spend everyone as per normal are focusing on Tottenham’s chances to over turn  Arsenal in the league.

Sounds familiar doesn’t it. We had arguably one of the worst starts to a season last year and managed to pip above them again. They had the most dynamic player in the Premier League last season and still managed to fall behind as is the normal thing to do.

Whether Tottenham have turned the tide remains to be seen. The buys they’ve made are good buys. Lamela and Eriksen the standouts of the lot. However, to follow a theme articulated by the manager and while mis-represented by everyone and their mother – buying so many players and getting them to gel right away is another story. A lot was made about Arsene Wenger’s – adding more than three players will unbalance the squad. I knew the moment he said it, it would be everywhere. I never can understand how a man so smart cannot understand that the things he said are going to be used as a whip to flog him.

However, when you really look at what he was trying to say is that it will take time for Spurs to come together as a team. It is likely that of the the Starting XI that play for Tottenham tomorrow, only 3 will have had played in this fixture last season. That means 8 new players on the pitch for Spurs. Not an easy thing to overcome. Looking at their first two matches and the proof in Wenger’s statement is there for you to see.

It is still a team very much trying to find out about itself. As of right now they still lack the creative spark through the middle. All plays come from out wide. They still need someone to get Soldado the ball in and around the 18 yard box to see what he can do. He’s getting shots but because most of the chances are being created from outside alot of his chances aren’t good at all.

Man for man Spurs are going to get better but are they as dynamic as last season without their Welsh Talisman. He is single-handedly responsible for keeping them in it last season and the season prior, he, Modric and Van der Vaart were a trio to be feared. If you are concerned about Tottenham the questions you have to ask are: did they replace the quality of Bale – e.g. did they get someone who will absolutely chanage and save a game in the dying minutes and comparatively are their Starting XI that much better than Arsenal’s. My initial reaction to both questions no. They have not replaced Bale with anyone even as remotely dynamic as Modric or Van der Vaart let alone Bale and pound for pound I’ll give the edge to Arsenal in starting XI.

Where the difference is in the bench. Right now they are set up for the long haul and look suitably set to easily handle the pitfalls of a long season. Arsenal on the other hand do not. We have three primary players out for 3 months.  It’s not a good thing. AND as “unbalanced” as Tottenham are, they won’t be for the whole season. At some point they are going to gel and they are going to be hard to play against.

That’s why heading into this particular match I give Arsenal the edge. They are a team that for the most part went through the trenches together. They don’t need to gel having done that last season. That team focus that they already built is the untangible that can hopefully get them through this match. Additionally, no matter how frustrated we are with Arsene and the transfer dealings the supporters will still create that 12th man because it is the North London Derby and they will be up for it.

The hope is that for this one time match so are the players on the pitch.

The North London Derby is always exciting and just alone in the Wenger years of the 40 match played Arsenal have lost only 4. Add to that the fact that Spurs haven’t finished above Arsenal in 18 years and all of the action on and off the pitch are creating a swell of anticipation for this match and the subsequent season. The hope is that the Derby will live up to its name sake and the memories it always gives.

How the Game Should Play out. 

Look for both squads to stick to their focus on playing the high line with each sides top man trying to take advantage of that. If Rose and Chadli start down the right for Tottenham look for Arsenal to try and exploit that side through Theo’s pace. That has been the weak link for Spurs so far in this early season. Andros Townsend conversely will try and get the better of Kieran Gibbs. The plus for Arsenal is that compared to Spurs first two opponents of the season, we have FBs that can offset the speed of their forwards. With Paulinho and Capoue look for Spurs to clog the midfield and deny Arsenal their passing game.  Spurs have been very lucky in the last few weeks, they’ve let their opponents have plenty of the ball and have come out unscathed merely by the grace of the goal post and a favorable ref. Arsenal will need to apply pressure when they have the ball in the final third. Spurs have been sitting back deep looking to exploit the opposition on the counter. That is why shots have to count and they have to come from all over to test Lloris. It’s going to be cagey but as I said earlier, the fact that Arsenal don’t have to gel and they have a starting XI as good as any of the top squads, it will be a squeaker in favor of Arsenal.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: Olivier Giroud.  The Frenchman has seemingly taken his game to another level this season and is creating more good chances than bad. His strengths continue to get better and if he continues like this you can see him turning out to be a 20+ scorer this season.

Tottenham: Capoue. This was once a player Arsenal coveted. Tall and strong he was said to be one of the heir apparent’s to Patrick Vieira. Actually any tall french DM usually gets that moniker. Word is he fell out of grace with Arsenal last season because of a drop in form that cost him his National Team spot. He will have something to proove and will hope to use his size to his advantage against Arsenal’s smaller midfielders.

Projected Lineups:

Arsenal video lineup:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal:  Diaby (knee), Arteta ( thigh) Vermaelen (back) Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) Podolski (calf)

Tottenham:  Lennon (foot), Assou-Ekotto (match fitness), Adebayor (match fitness).

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1

Tottenham: 0

Leading Scorer:
Arsenal: Giroud 2, Podolski 2

Tottenham:  Soldado 2

Assists:
Arsenal: Cazorla 1, Oxlade-Chmaberlain 1, Ramsey 1

Tottenham:

Goals For:
Arsenal (home): 1

Tottenham (away): 1

Goals Against:
Arsenal (home): 3

Tottenham (away) : 0

Goal Differential:
Arsenal: 0

Tottenham: 2

Match Official:
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants:  Long, Collin
Fourth Official: Moss

Broadcast Information:
US: NBC Sports Network: 11:00 AM

UK: Sky Sports 1 16.00 GMT

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Tottenham: 1