USA: 9am ET / 6am PT on Peacock (apparently, correct me if that's wrong.) NLD. The biggest games of every season against the mob down the road. They are in form. We are in form. We are coming off a very impressive Champions League return where we banged in goals for fun, kept a clean sheet, got no injuries and rotated the squad. End of the day though, it doesn't matter where you are on the table when a North London Derby kicks off, both teams are up for it and badly want the win. Last year we turned Spurs over home and away, with Partey/Jesus/Xhaka scoring for us and Kane getting his token "it wasn't there but its 'Arry" penalty in the home fixture. Interesting that less than a year later 1/4 aren't going to be in this match. Spurs under Angeball are dangerous and it will be interesting to see how Mikel sets up the team. The main things are they will look to hit us on transition and its going to be a massive match for whoever we have at LB/RB because RW/LW roles are vital for them this season. Angeball means his teams leak goals, but also allows them to score multiple goals quickly as we have seen for Spurs this season. So we need to control the ball, take our scoring opportunities when they present themselves, and not give the ball up in silly positions in the midfield to restrict their counter attacks. I am tipping we win, and Raya keeps his clean sheet run going. Arsenal 2-0 with goals to Martin "I just can't stop scoring" Odegaard and Big Gabriel to smash in a header at some point. LES FOGGIN GO GAIZ!
Rice, Odegaard, Vieira is my tip. Smashed it V Manure and while Havertz was better, still think Mikel backs in Vieira.
Them not having Kane and winning his soft PKs should definitely help us, but I'm never confident going into a Derby with Spuds. Anything can happen regardless of class or current form. Erik Lamela is proof of that. If we can contain Madison, I like our chances. I'd also feel better if we had Martinelli causing chaos on the left, but we'll have to see his status which still seems unlikely. I'd rather rest him instead of prolonging or reinjuring if there's any doubts on him. This feels like a nervy 2-1 win right now.
We've been struggling to score from open play in the prem because of the way teams defend us. I'm thinking Spurs' style will unlock us. Could be a wild one.
Agree. Under Mou and Conte, Spuds were generally happy to bunker down and cede 70+% possession and kill on the counter. That doesn't seem to be Ange's style so far, but it's still early, and who knows how he'll set them up here. In general, we seemed to allow PSV to have free possession in their defensive 3rd, then pick them up around midfield. They were able to find space down the wings, but they never created any high scoring chances. Overall, Spuds attackers are more effective than PSV's, so that could be more difficult to manage, but I can see us moving back and forth between a high press or sitting further back. GKs could also be a key component. This will easily be Vicario's toughest match for Them, and will be interesting to see how well he holds up. So far, he seems to be more consistent than Lloris, but it's still early to know for sure on him as well. I'm assuming Raya starts for us again, but wouldn't be too worried if Ramsdale is back either.
If he picks Raya for this, third match in a row, then I think we may have a good inkling who’s the new #1. Which reminds me of one of my favorite shows… Sorry couldn’t find a good clip of “Who is number one?!”
Spurs won't bunker down under Angeball, we will get a lot of opportunities to score. If we play like we did in the CL we will win this but I am not confident about a clean sheet.
They've been slightly better than us in attack, but they've faced an easier schedule than us and haven't been good defensively. A shame Martinelli is out, because he would have had a lot of fun against this Sperz team.
Trossard is a much better player than Martinelli, but Gabi’s pace makes him a real problem. Either way, plenty of reason to think either player will do damage.
The thing that makes me nervous is that Ange could hold his nerve in the Old Firm derbies. As intense as the NLDs are, Old Firm derbies are that x 100. S***s are going to be tough.
*A better footballer Martinelli is better for our set up tho due to the help he provides the left back and he a better goal threat. Rumor is Nwaneri may be on the bench if Trossard is truly injured.