Jermaine Jenas has predicted a tough afternoon for Arsenal centre-back Shkodran Mustafi against Tottenham on Sunday, claiming that Harry Kane ‘bullies him.’
The two sides meet in a huge North London Derby at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon with Tottenham looking to pull six points clear of the Gunners, while a home win would see Unai Emery’s side draw level on points with their rivals.
Jenas has now highlighted the battle between Kane and Mustafi as a potential advantage for Spurs, claiming that the Germany international is set for a tough afternoon.
In a column for the Daily Mail, he said: “I do think Mustafi is questionable and I think Kane loves to play against him. He bullies him, he’s better than him in the air. This should be a tough afternoon for Mustafi.”
OPINION
You can’t help but feel that Jenas is right in highlighting this battle as having the potential to decide Sunday’s clash. Mustafi has been a disappointment on the whole this season, with the Germany international failing to really show why the Gunners paid more than £35million for his services. Kane on the other hand is in his best form in months, and will be full of confidence coming into this one. Should the two players meet then Mustafi will have a big job to do in keeping Kane quiet. However, the Gunners defence will also have players such as Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Dele Alli to focus on, so they must not get too obsessed with Kane or they will pay in other areas. There is also the argument that Mustafi may not even start on Sunday, with Sokratis possibly selected to start in a back four alongside Rob Holding, who has been brilliant in recent weeks.