This weekend’s final match before the international break sees Arsenal meet Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in the North London derby to bring Super Sunday to its close.
A home win will see Arsenal climb to third whilst victory for Tottenham will send them above their North London rivals into fourth place.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesMesut Ozil is set to return for Arsenal after missing the past month for security reasons.
Rob Holding (knee) and Emile Smith Rowe (groin) are also set to be available for selection.
Hector Bellerin (knee), Kieran Tierney and Konstantinos Mavropanos (both groin) are all ruled out but are closing in on a return to training.
Tottenham will be without Kyle Walker-Peters for the short trip to their North London rivals due to a hamstring strain picked up last weekend against Newcastle.
Eric Dier is a doubt after complaining of an irritation in his right hip.
Tanguy Ndombele (thigh), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Juan Foyth (ankle) are all ruled out.
Form
Arsenal enter this match with two wins and a defeat from their opening three matches, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring two of their three goals so far.
Tottenham meanwhile have collected one win, draw and a defeat apiece, although they did come from behind to pick up their win and draw.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings with Tottenham in all competitions (W2, D1, L2).
- At home, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine clashes with Spurs in all competitions (W6, D3).
- Arsenal have made 20 blocks, more than any other team coming into this weekend.
- Three of Spurs’ five goals have come from outside the box.
- Hugo Lloris has made 13 saves, more than any other goalkeeper coming into this weekend.
Prediction
With this being a local derby, form goes out of the window and after defeats last weekend, both teams need to produce a reaction.
I therefore reckon that the first goal could be key because Spurs cannot afford to concede first once again but if they do score first, I expect them to kick on and take the win against a still suspect Arsenal defence.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur