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Matchday Live: Arsenal v Tottenham

By Ryan Wrenn

FILE PHOTO - (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 609115656 and 602278616) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur meet in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on November 6, 2016 in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on September 20, 2016 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO - (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 609115656 and 602278616) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal (L) and Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur meet in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on November 6, 2016 in London. ***LEFT IMAGE*** NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on September 20, 2016 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Lineup News

Well, Pochettino manages to surprise yet again with this lineup.

Kane’s return to the top of formation isn’t one of those surprises, but it’s very welcome all the same. Tottenham have severely lacked a regular goal-scoring presence after Heung-min Son’s initial surge. Hopefully Kane is rested and fit enough to deliver against Arsenal once again.

Speaking of Son, he’s one third of the attacking midfield trio behind Kane. Christian Eriksen and, assuming we’re reading the lineup correctly, Mousa Dembélé join him.

Now, it’s entirely possible that Tottenham are in fact playing something close to a 4-3-3, with Dembélé in deeper midfield along with Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier.

More from Match Reports

The latter’s return to midfield is welcome — he hasn’t been at peak form covering for Alderweireld at centre-back. What’s more, it creates room for Kevin Wimmer to make his first Premier League start of the season.

That’s important. Pochettino and Wimmer have engaged in a surprisingly public feud about the Austrian’s chances to get into the starting XI again this season. The Austrian’s injury issues over the summer haven’t helped matters, but it was surprising that Pochettino continued to rely on Dier at centre-back all the same.

The switch here is likely reflective of both Wimmer’s health and the need for Tottenham to have a player like Dier devoted to marking Mesut Özil out of the game.

Speaking of Arsenal…


This is a very strong side, if we’re being entirely honest. Alexis Sánchez is in at striker, while Theo Walcott returns from injury on the right wing. Francis Coquelin pairs with Granit Xhaka in midfield. Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi line-up at centre-back.

This isn’t any less formidable a side than the City team that Spurs easily beat just over a month ago. If Pochettino and his team find the right pressing rhythm and are able to contain Özil, Walcott and Sánchez, this could end in a result for the visitors.

Check back at half-time for some quick thoughts about what’s come before and what could change after the interval.