AFP PHOTO / IKIMAGES / Ian KINGTON
Against Everton, Arsenal played thrillingly as their attacking midfielders combined fluidly, sashaying from side to side. It was a peek into what Arsenal’s newly glossed over side could achieve when they are hardly tested defensively.
This weekend against rivals, Tottenham, Wenger’s team will be severely tested. Spurs possess the hottest striker in Europe, Harry Kane, who Wenger admitted was the best in Europe. While the effect of Wenger’s work on the offence was glaring in the Everton game, the North London derby might offer a clearer view as to his inactivity on the line that shields the defence.
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Arsenal are without a clean sheet in their last eight games and have a poor record away from home with three wins in 13 matches. Granit Xhaka and the defence have come in for major criticism over Arsenal’s soft underbelly, with the players often riddled with individual errors or/and a major lapse in concentration.
The rampant Tottenham side led by Mauricio Pochettino are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competition and are also unbeaten in 12 home matches in the Premier League. Spurs lead Arsenal with four points but their eyes will be more fixated on the top four with Chelsea just ahead of them in fourth with just one point. Toby Alderwiereld’s return to the side in the midweek win over Newport County will be a huge boost to Spurs while Victor Wanyama’s availability gives them more solidity at the base of the midfield.
Kane’s cutting edge could yet again decide the tie. The England forward has scored six goals in six games against Arsenal in the Premier League. Arsenal also have a veritable marksman in their ranks in Aubameyang. He also has something of a streak against Spurs, with his four goals in four games against from his time at Borussia Dortmund.
Prediction: Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal
Source: G Sport
