It's North London Derby number one of the season as the Gunners entertain arch rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium in what will surely be another cracker.
Arsenal's promising start to the season coupled with Spurs' slow start means that Arsenal go into this one as favourites. With no new injury concerns and dead weight seemingly on it's way out of the club, things are fairly positive in the Gunners camp right now. Competition for places hasn't been this intense in years and with the Emery reign now in full flow, it's time to leave a real mark.
Good news this week regarding Arsenal's injury absentees as Rob Holding and Emile Smith-Rowe have played back-to-back games for the U23s and U21s in various masses, whilst Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin and Dinos Mavropanos have all be penned in for a September return to full training. Unai Emery has also declared Mesut Ozil fit and ready to play this week having seen him train well for a good seven days or so - just in time for him to turn it on against Spurs, should he see some minutes.
The game plan last week at Anfield didn't work but at home, it should be far far different as there is surely going to be more focus on the attacking unit. It was meant to about containment against Liverpool and although it didn't work, you could argue that at least there was a plan. This weekend, we should be looking to bury Spurs early and prey on their nervousness as quickly as possible. What better way to do that than with a front three of Lacazette, Aubameyang and Pepe? Pace, finishing, prowess, movement, power, hold-up play, experience, confidence and talent, this trio has it all.
In midfield, Emery has a good headache with all his options finally available for the first time this season. Assuming it's a front three up top, the midfield will be three of Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Ceballos, Ozil or Willock - and with Xhaka seemingly destined for club captain, it's likely he'll start. Ozil on the other hand is highly likely to start this one from the bench having not played at all so far. Depending on the set up going forward, there are cases for any number of midfield combinations but creativity wise, it seems obvious that Ceballos should play whilst defensively, Arsenal have massively missed Torreira in the holding role. The little Uruguayan was absolutely outstanding in this fixture last season (alongside Xhaka in the engine room), and from a personal opinion I believe we are a completely different team with him in the XI. He brings everything no one else does and above all a fighting spirit to set any tempo.
Tottenham on the other hand are lacking confidence and are way off the ball. The standard they've played at seasons of late seems way beyond the horizon right now and internal turmoil over player selection is tainting their results. Eriksen is the club's best midfielder and he can't get in the side. Vertonghen is arguably the club's best defender and he can't get in the side either. Skipper and main goal threat Harry Kane can't find the net just to make things worse and although they have four points so far, performances have been way below par.
Heung-Min Son returned from suspension last time out and he undoubtedly brings a second dimension to Spurs' attack and in some respects, is seen as the dangerman. He'll be one for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to keep an eye on for sure. Dele Alli remains out injured and now first choice right back Kyle Walker-Peters joins him with an injury. Serge Aurier or Moussa Sissoko will deputise at right back.
However, all form goes out the window for the North London Derby. During this game last season, first half form completely evaporated for both sides in the space of a fifteen minute half time so regardless of what's gone on so far, this game does whatever it wants.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB: Sokratis
CB: David Luiz
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 3-1 to the Arsenal with Pepe grabbing his first Gunners goal.
@craigbennett10
Arsenal's promising start to the season coupled with Spurs' slow start means that Arsenal go into this one as favourites. With no new injury concerns and dead weight seemingly on it's way out of the club, things are fairly positive in the Gunners camp right now. Competition for places hasn't been this intense in years and with the Emery reign now in full flow, it's time to leave a real mark.
Good news this week regarding Arsenal's injury absentees as Rob Holding and Emile Smith-Rowe have played back-to-back games for the U23s and U21s in various masses, whilst Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin and Dinos Mavropanos have all be penned in for a September return to full training. Unai Emery has also declared Mesut Ozil fit and ready to play this week having seen him train well for a good seven days or so - just in time for him to turn it on against Spurs, should he see some minutes.
The game plan last week at Anfield didn't work but at home, it should be far far different as there is surely going to be more focus on the attacking unit. It was meant to about containment against Liverpool and although it didn't work, you could argue that at least there was a plan. This weekend, we should be looking to bury Spurs early and prey on their nervousness as quickly as possible. What better way to do that than with a front three of Lacazette, Aubameyang and Pepe? Pace, finishing, prowess, movement, power, hold-up play, experience, confidence and talent, this trio has it all.
In midfield, Emery has a good headache with all his options finally available for the first time this season. Assuming it's a front three up top, the midfield will be three of Xhaka, Guendouzi, Torreira, Ceballos, Ozil or Willock - and with Xhaka seemingly destined for club captain, it's likely he'll start. Ozil on the other hand is highly likely to start this one from the bench having not played at all so far. Depending on the set up going forward, there are cases for any number of midfield combinations but creativity wise, it seems obvious that Ceballos should play whilst defensively, Arsenal have massively missed Torreira in the holding role. The little Uruguayan was absolutely outstanding in this fixture last season (alongside Xhaka in the engine room), and from a personal opinion I believe we are a completely different team with him in the XI. He brings everything no one else does and above all a fighting spirit to set any tempo.
Tottenham on the other hand are lacking confidence and are way off the ball. The standard they've played at seasons of late seems way beyond the horizon right now and internal turmoil over player selection is tainting their results. Eriksen is the club's best midfielder and he can't get in the side. Vertonghen is arguably the club's best defender and he can't get in the side either. Skipper and main goal threat Harry Kane can't find the net just to make things worse and although they have four points so far, performances have been way below par.
Heung-Min Son returned from suspension last time out and he undoubtedly brings a second dimension to Spurs' attack and in some respects, is seen as the dangerman. He'll be one for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to keep an eye on for sure. Dele Alli remains out injured and now first choice right back Kyle Walker-Peters joins him with an injury. Serge Aurier or Moussa Sissoko will deputise at right back.
However, all form goes out the window for the North London Derby. During this game last season, first half form completely evaporated for both sides in the space of a fifteen minute half time so regardless of what's gone on so far, this game does whatever it wants.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB: Sokratis
CB: David Luiz
LB: Sead Kolasinac
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Granit Xhaka
CAM: Dani Ceballos
RW: Nicolas Pepe
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Prediction: 3-1 to the Arsenal with Pepe grabbing his first Gunners goal.
@craigbennett10
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