Tottenham Opposition Scouting Report: Arsenal

By Ryan Wrenn | Nov 4, 2016

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger attends a press conference at London Colney on November 3, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

If you believe the hype, the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal on Sunday will be the most lopsided in years.

Last season, the bitter rivals fought to two Premier League draws, though in each Tottenham were the side left most ruing a chance at a win.

Mauricio Pochettino’s pressing system works at odds with Arsène Wenger’s possession-based approach. It was enough for Tottenham to earn leads in both of those matches from last season before Arsenal equalized at home in the 77th minute then in the 76th minute at White Hart Lane after Francis Coquelin was sent off earlier in the half.

Those were disappointing results, as was Tottenham’s ultimate inability to finish the season above their rivals for the first time in two decades. Among the club’s many objectives this season was an earnest desire to better Arsenal on the pitch and on the Premier League table.

Ahead of Sunday’s match, such hopes aren’t looking especially likely to come true — at least for the moment. Tottenham have only sunk lower from a string of dour draws after Wednesday’s loss to Bayer Leverkusen. On top of that, they’ll arrive at the Emirates without the injured Toby Alderweireld, Érik Lamela and Mousa Dembélé or the suspended Moussa Sissoko.

Arsenal, meanwhile, haven’t lost a match in any competition since their 4-3 loss to Liverpool on the opening day of the season. It’s no surprise, then, that they’re tied with Manchester City, only separated from the top spot on goal difference.

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To fans on both sides, this is a recipe for a Tottenham defeat. Pochettino’s team looks aimless and tepid compared to the ever-forward, white hot Gunners.

The results aren’t lying here. This is a team that lives up to the title credentials. They’re a fit, exceedingly well-coordinated unit built around genuine superstars Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez. Arguments could be made that they have among the best full-back pair in the Premier League, and in Petr Čech they have a literal legend between the sticks.

This is a team that, in many ways, is the natural culmination of the post-Invincibles era of Wenger’s Arsenal career. He’s battled many obstacles both on and off the pitch — including financing the loan for a newly built stadium — and managed to do so by keeping Arsenal near the top of the table throughout. Now, with money to burn and nearing the end of his career in north London, he’s finally built a team that can match the hype surrounding his legend.

As much as people try to paint Wenger as a possession fundamentalist, this latest iteration of Arsenal actually benefits from a healthy dose of pragmatism. Yes, Arsenal can hold onto and pass the ball better than virtually anyone in the league, but Wenger’s grown his game enough to admit that perhaps that’s not always the best strategy.

Which is why we’ll likely see a more reactive, defensive Arsenal on Sunday. Wenger will know that Pochettino and Tottenham want Arsenal to hold a high line and try to play out of the back. Instead, we can expect a lot more concession of possession, more frequent longer passes and a lot less passing the ball into the back of the net.

All of which was also true last year, and Arsenal could only squeak out draws against Tottenham. Given their form of late though it’s not unreasonable to assume that they couldn’t improve on those results on Sunday.

For the Tottenham optimist, there are some reasons to hold out hope however.

Seventeen of Arsenal’s 23 points earned so far this season have come against teams currently ranked ninth in the Premier League table or lower. Yes, they earned a thoroughly impressive 3-0 over Chelsea, but one good result against a legitimate top-tier team does not a season make.

Next: Pochettino on Dele Alli and November Fixtures

More recently, a strong Arsenal side was forced to come from behind to beat lowly Bulgarians Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday. Only an absolutely insane goal from Özil sparred them blushes in the end.

These two facts in concert should clear up some of the fearful doubt Tottenham fans might have coming into the derby. This is a good Arsenal team, but it’s no behemoth. They are beatable, and Tottenham have absolutely every reason to earn a memorable result on Sunday.