Arsenal sans Martin Odegaard could be Tottenham Hotspur’s gain in the NLD

Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal in the North London Derby in the Premier League on September 15th. They will be looking to claim their second straight victory on home turf after thumping Everton 4-0 last time around, but it could only be their second success this season given that they’re winless on the road against Leicester City and Newcastle United.

Ange Postecoglou’s men are about to face a Spurs side without Declan Rice, who was shown a red card in their match against Brighton before the international break and consequently, will miss the Gunners’ trip to their bitter rivals.

Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt for the fixture after suffering a freak injury in Italy’s UEFA Nations League game against France and as per Sky Sports, Martin Odegaard is the latest player to join Arsenal’s treatment table after his injury on international duty. Mikel Arteta’s captain was seen on crutches following his representation for Norway.

With Arsenal missing as many as three crucial players, the upcoming derby is a golden opportunity for Tottenham to claim all three points and bolster their chances of finishing in a top-four position. Ange Postecoglou already has all the ammunition to beat the Gunners.

Spurs will need to win the midfield battle if they are to succeed in the game and can do so by overloading the central areas, especially because two players who conduct the play for their opponent are absent.

While the Lilywhites can take advantage of Rice’s absence by moving the ball forward more effectively, Odegaard missing out means Tottenham’s number six can also venture higher up the pitch by being relatively free of his defensive shackles. A ball carrier who is physically adept, like Yves Bissouma can be given the license to do that job.

Meanwhile, James Maddison will have to put on a better showing than he did against Newcastle as the attacking midfielder. The former Leicester star has been going through a barren run of form but Spurs will need him to be at his best if indeed they are to exploit Arsenal without Rice and Son Heung-min’s ability to drop deep and dribble with the ball will also be very important.

Thomas Partey should be the man Tottenham must target in one-on-one situations, especially through Son, as the ex-Atletico Madrid midfielder is not among the fastest players between the two rivals. If Spurs can bypass Arsenal’s midfield, they would have done more than half the work that teams need to do to beat Arteta’s disciplined side.

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When playing without the ball, a low block would work best for Tottenham, as Arsenal have no creative outlet to unlock their defence. Man-marking will also be a better idea than zonally employing players given that Odegaard’s and Rice’s playmaking could compel the Gunners into playing short passes and using Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to dribble with the ball.