There’s an air of discontent blowing through Tottenham at the moment and Arsenal must be smacking their lips at the prospect of playing them on Sunday.
Christian Eriksen has only started one game this season and with the European transfer deadline on Monday, there’s a real question over his immediate future.
There are other problems in the Tottenham squad too, with Kyle Walker-Peters potentially out after limping out of the game against Newcastle last weekend.
The Emirates isn’t a rich hunting ground at the best of times but this will be a tough afternoon for Mauricio Pochettino and a big test of his tactical and man-management credentials.
Goalkeeper
Hugo Lloris has had a decent start to the season and we expect him to get the gloves as Pochettino’s trusted number one.
Defenders
This is the first real question for Pochettino. Serge Aurier is his only recognised right-back if Walker-Peters misses out with injury, as expected. However, he hasn’t even been in the squad for the past two games and there have been questions over his future at the club. Another option would be to bring Jan Vertonghen in at left-back and switch Danny Rose over to the right. However, Vertonghen hasn’t played yet this season, either. The Guardian reported that Pochettino was considering playing either 30-year-old Moussa Sissoko or Eric Dier out of position at right-back, but that would be a big risk with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang potentially playing on the left for the Gunners. However, that’s what we expect Pochettino to do. Sissoko is likely to get the nod, with Rose on the left and Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez in the centre. Tottenham fans will probably not be best pleased if that is the case.
Midfielders
If Sissoko plays on the right in defence, Dier is likely to come into midfield if Tanguy Ndombele isn’t fit to play. That would be another big blow for Tottenham. Harry Winks should bolster the midfield and Eriksen surely has to start unless something happens between now and Sunday that brings an exit closer. Leaving Eriksen on the bench for a game of this magnitude would be folly.
Attackers
Harry Kane will play up top and is likely to be joined by Henug-min Son and Lucas Moura. Dele Alli is back to fitness but Pochettino will probably choose not to risk him from the start in a game like this as his first introduction to football this season.
Key battle – Aubameyang v Sissoko
This is a battle that is likely to give Tottenham fans the fear before the game. Arsenal might have issues at the back but they’re sublime going forward and if Pochettino is going to play someone out of position at right-back, Unai Emery would be well advised to focus his attack down that side.
TiF verdict
If Pochettino puts out the team we think he will, we’re predicting a long afternoon for Tottenham. They’ve only won once at the Emirates in 13 visits in the Premier League and we can’t see them getting anything out of Sunday’s game.
Arsenal 3 – 1 Tottenham
Watch It!
The game is being broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK on Sunday with a kick-off time of 4.30pm.
This is the starting XI we think Pochettino will put out in the north London derby:
