View: Key points ahead of North London derby between Tottenham and Arsenal
Tottenham will travel to the Emirates on Sunday (24 September) to take on Arsenal in the Premier League, as Ange Postecoglou looks to secure another big win early into his reign as Spurs boss.
The white side of North London have not enjoyed this fixture in recent seasons, losing four of their previous five meetings with the Gunners, as many as they had lost in the 16 before that.
Postecoglou’s men are winless in 12 league games at the home of their noisy neighbours, since a 3-2 victory in 2010, and, after Mikel Arteta’s men’s unbeaten start to the season, this match doesn’t promise to be any easier.
However, Spurs are also undefeated after the first five league matches of their campaign and they will be hoping to cause an upset and land a monumental victory that could prove very significant come next May.
It is a game that promises goals. Everton are the only side to have conceded more times at the Emirates in Premier League history than Tottenham.
The last time these two teams met after unbeaten starts to the season, the match ended 0-0 at Highbury back in 1990, although, on this occasion, it is difficult to see the same outcome.
Here, Tottenham News has identified some key battle areas ahead of the crunch clash between the two fierce rivals.
Set-Pieces
Considering the way that both teams have started the season, with free-flowing football being played on the front foot, readers might be surprised to learn that set-pieces could prove to be a game-changer during the contest. These are usually the features of a physical team fighting at the bottom end of the table, looking for scrappy goals wherever they can get them. Nonetheless, it is Arsenal and Tottenham who are the Premier League’s corner kings.
Spurs’ 15 total goals from corner kicks since the beginning of the 2022/23 season is bettered only by Arsenal, who have 16 in that same timeframe.
Both teams scored 13 apiece last season, and Spurs would often look to target near-post runs, flick-ons and sometimes mix things up with short corner routines. Tottenham’s dramatic late equaliser against Sheffield United last time out came from a corner, when Richarlison headed home Ivan Perisic’s delivery.
However, Arsenal have won their previous two league matches from these situations and will be just as dangerous. Bukayo Saka’s deep inswinging corner against Manchester United fell to Declan Rice, whose shot deflected in and gave the Gunners the lead late on, while Leandro Trossard’s winner at Everton arrived via a short-corner routine in their most recent match, a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
It will therefore be interesting to see what routines both coaches have worked on ahead of the meeting.
Destiny Udogie vs Bukayo Saka
Udogie has made a wonderful start to life in England after arriving from Italy, but the young left-back will face his biggest task yet on Sunday afternoon when he goes one-on-one with one of the league’s best, if not the best, right-wingers in Saka.
The 20-year-old has made 12 tackles, eight interceptions, and 11 clearances, while also providing two assists early into his Tottenham career (Premier League).
He comes out on top in the majority of his duels, winning 28 while losing 26, although, against Saka, he will have a tough time keeping those numbers up. Last season, the England international was one of the most dangerous players in the division.
In addition to providing 14 goals and 11 assists, the 22-year-old was in the top eight per cent compared to his positional peers in the competition for the number of touches he made in the attacking third (35.93 per 90) and opposition penalty area (6.71 per 90). He was also in the top seven per cent for the number of progressive carries he made (5.06 per 90) and the top one per cent for the number of progressive passes he received (14.71 per 90), as per fbref.
Arsenal’s dynamic winger has started this season in hot form, scoring twice while providing two assists in his opening five league matches, and the chance to battle with the forward will be a big test for Udogie.
In other Tottenham news, two of the club’s youngsters are getting some valuable minutes while out on loan.