Tottenham look to exploit weakened rivals Arsenal in the North London Derby
Sunday will mark the new Premier League season’s first North London Derby, as Tottenham Hotspur hosts Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While Arsenal are looking to continue their title charge, Ange Postecoglou’s side will be keen on bouncing back after the international break having picked up only four points from three games. The Spurs gaffer has had good enough time to prepare for the North London Derby showdown after the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park. And he has received a big boost ahead of the mega clash.
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard was forced off the pitch during Norway’s game against Austria on Monday with a painful-looking ankle injury. The creative midfielder’s availability for Sunday’s derby is now a major doubt with Norway boss Stale Solbakken revealing his injury “looks bad”.
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“It looked bad in the dressing room too. He didn’t have the nerve to continue. It is not certain that Arteta will call me tonight and praise me,” Stale Solbakken spoke after Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria (h/t The Daily Mirror) after the game.
Norway doctor Ola Sand also provided an update on Odegaard’s injury. “He got a small ankle sprain. We will see, maybe we use ultrasound to look at it. If we are unsure, there will be an MRI tomorrow,” he was quoted by Norwegian channel TV2 (h/t The Daily Mirror).
Odegaard was withdrawn in the second half of his country’s UEFA Nations League clash with Austria following a challenge from Christoph Baumgartner which saw the Gunners star’s foot stick in the pitch and twist.
This is a hammer blow for Mikel Arteta ahead of the North London Derby showdown which comes after Italy international Riccardo Calafiori’s freak injury against France. The defender has since returned to Arsenal for assessment. Not to forget, Declan Rice will miss the game due to suspension and Gabriel Jesus is touch-and-go.
Big Ange and Tottenham will plan to exploit their rival’s struggles as the North London derby is a perfect game for them to bounce back and make an early statement this season. A win over Mikel Arteta’s side is a real way for the Lilywhites to get their campaign on track, and Big Ange and our fans would love nothing more than to get the derby bragging rights at home.
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Despite suspension and injury issues, Arsenal still will be a strong side to overcome. Being at home, the onus will be on our boys to do the job and paint North London in white.
