Maybe it’s a dangerous feeling for such a game, but finally Tottenham fans have optimism again against their big rivals. The last time Arsenal visited White Hart Lane, Spurs were drifting under a caretaker manager with no real direction. Even for the meeting at the Emirates Stadium early this season, Mauricio Pochettino was scrambling to find his best eleven, and he moved away from his usual tactics to achieve the 1-1 result.
It’s different now a few months later as the players are understanding what he wants. The team is working as one, because as we’ve seen, it’s not much good for the defenders to play a high line if there’s no pressure on the ball from the rest of the team. We know that well from last season, and Arsenal in particular are set up to take advantage of such a disconnection, as seen by their destruction of Aston Villa last Sunday.
So in many ways this is a real milestone game for the team. It is promising to see the performances we’ve given in these sorts of games; we know Arsenal aren’t going to park the bus and instead will look to win the game. We have dealt well with that type of challenge this season, such as the Everton and Chelsea games, and if there is anyone who still doubts that Pochettino can lead us to where we want to go, a win in the North London Derby tends to restore faith in a coaching set-up.
There has, and will be, discussion about the line-up all week, and especially when it is revealed on Saturday; the back four almost picks itself; Walker has started most games since his return, while I like either Vertonghen and Fazio against Giroud. The only question is whether Rose or Davies will be picked; I believe he will select Rose who will offer a lot going forward but will also have to be wary of Theo Walcott. In midfield Mason and the returning Bentaleb will likely be selected.
The big question is further forward. Mousa Dembele has been successful over the last few games in an advanced position, while Christian Eriksen has nominally started on the left. There are a number of reasons to think that we may see a change for Saturday; the return of Nacer Chadli after a family bereavement for one, and also that we may have to be more tactically disciplined and offer Rose more cover on the left side.
On the right, we’ll likely see Erik Lamela who will have to be much more decisive on the ball than he has been lately. He is only recently back from injury; maybe that game time will make the difference and stand him in good stead for a big performance.
Our trump card of course is Harry Kane, who will be a handful all game for the Arsenal back four. His runs at the defence will cause all sorts of problems, and either result in shots on goal or fouls to stop his progress. I hope to see lots of off-the-ball runs from his team mates of course, and Kane does have the vision to play them in even if he has been very single minded in getting a shot off lately.
This is the game we mark on the calendar when the fixtures are released in the summer; from what we have seen of this team I’m certain that they won’t let us down through a lack of effort or passion. Add the talent that they possess, and we should be very confident about a positive result.
