Rejuvenated Yves Bissouma could prove game-changing Tottenham factor in Premier League clash v Arsenal
Ange Postecoglou is preparing to take his Tottenham side to the Emirates for the North London derby against Arsenal on Sunday 24 September and rejuvenated midfielder Yves Bissouma could prove the decisive factor.
Spurs will be looking to put an end to their Emirates demons on Sunday (24 September) when they take on Mikel Arteta’s in-form side at a ground where they have not tasted victory since November 2010.
Both sides have made undefeated and rampant starts to their league campaigns so far, which certainly adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the eagerly-anticipated contest.
Both Tottenham and Arsenal have four wins and a draw under their belts and are therefore level in the table with 13 points from five games as Postecoglou embraces the challenge of his first North London derby contest.
Many would have expected Mikel Arteta’s side to make the quick start they have given they were Manchester City’s closest challengers last term and had an expensive recruitment drive in the summer.
However, no one could have anticipated the start Spurs have made, especially under new manager Postecoglou, which says much about the qualities the Australian possesses that were evident during his two years at Celtic.
Postecoglou is a relative unknown in European football and after Tottenham’s dismal campaign last season, during which they missed out on European football, no one would have expected the team to come through a trip to Brentford and meeting with Manchester United with four points while mixing it with the likes of City and Arsenal at the top of the table.
Nonetheless, they find themselves in a position of optimism ahead of the meeting with Arsenal, and one key area on the pitch could prove crucial in their chances of securing a huge result on Sunday, and that will come in midfield where the rejuvenated Bissouma is set for a crucial role at the Emirates.
When the 26-year-old arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer, he did so to plenty of excitement. For the reported £25million fee that had been paid (Sky Sports, 17 June 2022), it seemed a steal.
However, due to injuries and his inability to adapt to Antonio Conte’s passive and rigid system, the Mali international simply did not live up to expectations, much to the disappointment of some of the Tottenham fanbase.
But Bissouma has so far proven to Postecoglou why he could well become one of his most crucial components this season and why he is among the cream of the crop within the Australian’s squad right now.
Certainly, his most standout contribution in the campaign thus far came against Brentford in the 2-2 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Awarded man-of-the-match by Sky Sports for his performance on the afternoon, Bissouma put in by far his best display in a Tottenham shirt to date.
Bissouma was unplayable at times, making 138 touches and registering a successful passing accuracy of 92 per cent, completing 107 out of his 116 passes. In addition to this, he completed five of the six dribbles that he attempted and won nine of the 12 ground duels he contested. Defensively he was impressive, making two clearances, four interceptions and three tackles (Sofascore).
The former Brighton midfielder also completed an impressive 22 of 26 line-breaking pass attempts against Brentford, the most line-breaking passes completed on the opening Premier League weekend, and such performances have certainly become a regular theme for Spurs so far this season.
Bissouma was also impressive against Manchester United in gameweek two, winning 10 of his total duels and completing 88 per cent of his passes [SofaScore] and followed that up with further excellent showings against Bournemouth and Sheffield United, becoming every bit as influential and dominant both in and out of possession.
So far this campaign, Bissouma has successfully completed 90 per cent of his passes per game, averaging 1.0 key passes, 2.4 interceptions, 3.4 tackles and 7.2 balls recovered, all while successfully completing a whopping 79 per cent of his dribbles at a rate of 3.0 dribbles per game, and winning 61 per cent of his ground duels [SofaScore].
These are stats that highlight how complete Bissouma has been in all phases of his game so far under Postecoglou with the Australian giving him a more refined and game-changing role than he enjoyed under Antonio Conte but, more crucially, Spurs are more expansive and free-flowing, which crucially not only needs his progressive characteristics in possession but also his aggressive, all-action and destructive style off the ball.
It is amazing what confidence and a change in management, one whose style and persona fits the brand of football a player like Bissouma strongly desires and he is certainly going to be one to watch out for in North London this year.
If Tottenham can pull off an impressive victory at the Emirates on Sunday, just know Bissouma will be at the epicentre of everything good about Postecoglou’s men should that occur.
In other Tottenham news, Spurs have reached an agreement on personal terms for the permanent signing of one Croatian top talent.