Arsenal will host Tottenham Hotspurs at Emirates Stadium for their sixth Premier League match of the 2021/22 season. Quick Preview!
After a painful period of behind-closed doors for Arsenal, funs prepare to arrive at the Emirates to witness Gunners and Spurs lock horns.
Arsenal enters the game on the back of a 3-0 EFL Cup success against AFC Wimbledon, whereas, Tottenham needed penalties to qualify against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Gunners’ previous win over Norwich City means they enter the North London derby on the back of three wins and three clean sheets although they currently hold a disappointing 13th place in the fledging standings.
Against Tottenham, Arsenal has not failed to score in a premier League meeting at home since the turn of the millennium. Given their rivals run of form, Arteta’s side are the ones with the wind in their sails before Sundays mouthwatering contest.
In complete contrast, Spurs, who were collecting wins and clean sheets while Arsenal fell to defeats without a goal, have suffered the confidence hit in recent weeks following back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Palace, Chelsea in top-flight action and Molineux in the EFL Cup where they passed the line via penalty kicks.
Owing to their recent setbacks in league action, Spurs have dropped to seventh in the table. However, they can still boast a measly three goals despite Arsenal having tow strikes of their own to show their efforts.
Nonetheless, as mentioned, Arsenal claimed a 2-1 win in this fixture last season under Mourinho’s tenure at Tottenham and the visitors have won one of their last 28 games against Arsenal in top flight. All the same, in a tale as old as time, form goes out the window on North London derby day as the Emirates crowd gears up for the prospect of another enticing battle between the two great rivals.
Squad News
Arsenal are with a fully fit squad with Kieran Tierney given the all-clear after cramp scare while Granit Xhaka returns from a three-game suspension.
It would be harsh to see Albert Sambi Lokonga dropped but Arteta has been singing the praises of Xhaka ahead of this game and he could re-introduce the Switzerland international alongside Thomas Partey.
Aaron Ramsdale will retain the gloves after back-to-back Premier League clean sheets with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will hope to hold his place up top over Alexandre Lacazette in spite of the Frenchman boasting four goals from his last six North London derbies.
Meanwhile Santo has confirmed Lucas Moura is back in contention but Steven Berqwijn and Ryan Sessegnon both occupy spots in the treatment room.
With Son-Heung min also fully fit, Moura could start on the right-hand side of the attack while his South Korean counter-part features on the left. This would see Giovani Lo Celso make way.
Tanguy Ndombele is slowly working his way back into Santo’s plan. But, he is the most likely option to drop out for irrepressible lynchpin Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.