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Spurs Preview of North London Derby Tottenham versus Arsenal

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 12, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 12, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham, Mourinho
LINZ, AUSTRIA – DECEMBER 3: Head coach Jose Mourinho of Tottenham during the UEFA Europa League group J match between LASK and Tottenham Hotspur at Raiffeisen Arena on December 3, 2020 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Guenther Iby/SEPA.Media /Getty Images) /

What Will Decide Tottenham Arsenal?

If history does not matter and form does not matter what will decide the game today? Tactics.

The tactics should be an interesting one to watch as Arteta continues to try to Pep up his Gunner side. Under Arteta Arsenal are more of a possession-based team who is looking to break down opponents rather than counter. This seems counter intuitive to a team that relies heavily on pace and speed.

Interestingly, Arsenal have had their greatest success this season with a three man or even five-man back line with is more a José Mourinho tactic than Pep Guardiola. Further, as the road team knowing Spurs want to get over the top and hit on the break, do not be surprised if Arsenal play a bit deeper and see most of the possession in the back like Spurs teams of old.

Tottenham is going to employ their own bend but do not break defense. Arsenal has more pace up front than Spurs do in the back, so Tottenham will keep their line rather deep as well. This means the middle of the pitch is where the game is going to be won and lost. This is where having a couple of workhorses like Pierre Højbjerg and Moussa Sissoko along with the increasingly active Tanguy Ndombele give Spurs the edge.

This midfield strength, along with Kane dropping more and more into a #10 role to pull the defense should give Spurs the edge in numbers and talent across the middle third of the pitch. If Tottenham can dominate in the middle with Højbjerg and Sissoko covering the gaps and channels, eventually the Arsenal defense will make mistakes and grant Spurs possession.

It is the team that makes less mistakes with the ball and then pounces faster on those mistakes that will win. While a similar overall set-up to the last couple more defensive contests for Spurs, as the Tottenham dominance on the pitch becomes clear, expect to see Tottenham on the ball more than in the last few weeks and finding the holes in Arsenal’s defense.

As the Tottenham midfield dominates, Spurs find ways through and the Gunners will begin to question themselves. Ultimately, this day will end as many have this season for both teams, with Spurs celebrating and Arsenal asking questions as Tottenham roll 3-0.