LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur scores his sides first goal ... [+]
On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur hosts rival Arsenal in a crucial Premier League clash. Already one of the most hotly-anticipated matches of the season, this north London derby has even more spice.
As the Premier League season enters its final three weeks, this match could go a long way to determining this year’s title race.
A serious test for Arsenal’s title challenge
Arsenal is top of the league by a single point from holder Manchester City, which has a game in hand.
This match, at the home of great rival Spurs, is arguably the hardest of Arsenal’s remaining matches.
If Manchester City wins its remaining games, it will be champion again. But a win for Arsenal at Spurs would put the pressure right back on City, and send a message this team intends to take the race to the wire.
The last time there was a north London derby this late in the season was 2004. Arsenal won the game, and the title.
Tottenham’s faltering Champions League charge
Spurs supporters love beating Arsenal — and landing a potentially lethal blow to the rival’s title challenge would be especially sweet.
Spurs also need the points though, to continue pushing for a place in the top four and qualification for next season’s Champions League. Currently, that looks unlikely. Aston Villa is fourth, six points ahead of Spurs, albeit having played two more matches.
Following the Arsenal match, Spurs must play Manchester City and Liverpool, currently third, in its final five matches.
Even a draw against Arsenal may not be enough to keep the pressure on Villa. With a fired-up crowd roaring Spurs on, the players will go for the win.
Coaches who refuse to compromise
Both Mikel Arteta, of Arsenal, and Ange Postecoglou, of Spurs, have a clear idea of how they want their teams to play. Each is uncompromising in the belief that their way is the best way to bring success.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, holds a notepad during the Premier ... [+]
Arsenal this season has been characterised by fast starts, with relentless waves of attack orchestrated by the outstanding playmaker, Martin Ødegaard.
Out of position, the team is positionally disciplined and aggressive in defence, conceding the fewest goals of any team, 26. However, there are times the system has looked vulnerable. Aston Villa, in a 2-0 away victory, played through the heart of Arsenal’s midfield and created numerous chances.
As the underdog, Spurs might be expected to sit back and hit Arsenal on the counter. This is not how Postecoglou teams play.
The Australian coach wants his teams to control possession and attack at every possibility. When it works, it can blow away opponents. Yet it also leaves gaps at the back. Spurs has conceded nearly twice as many goals as Arsenal this season. Spurs captain Son Heung-min says this won’t stop his side trying to take the game to Arsenal.
“It’s very important the way we play. Stick to our play, our game,” he said, as reported by The Guardian.
“You want to always have good competition and you always want to face the best teams in the world.”
Left-back is a conundrum for both teams
For Tottenham, the news Italy international Destiny Udogie will miss the rest of the season with injury was a significant blow. The 21-year-old has been a star performer in his debut season in English soccer and his swashbuckling style is key to Postecoglou’s gameplan.
The coach must now decide who replaces Udogie for this crucial match and the season run-in. The most likely option is Ben Davies, a dependable player who offers more security defensively, if less flair in attack.
Left-back has been the one position where Arsenal has looked uncertain this season. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have both played there, but Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to start.
Tomiyasu is a reliable defender. He will have to be at his best to counter the threat of Brennan Johnson, the rapid Spurs winger.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Brennan Johnson of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's second goal ... [+]
Fatigue may be a factor
Arsenal has played four times since Spurs’ last match. Will those extra minutes be a factor?
One argument is that the rhythm from playing more regularly will help, rather than hinder Arsenal. Both sides like to start quickly and if Arsenal catch Spurs cold, the team can score enough goals to win the game before half-time.
Arsenal has had some fortune with a lack of injuries to key players, but those who have played most minutes may feel their legs getting heavy as the match goes on.
Substitutes could play a key role here. Assuming he doesn’t start the match, Dejan Kulusevski is a useful option from the Spurs bench to hold on to the ball and unpick defences.
