Arsenal vs Tottenham: 5 key players in North London Derby

4. Sokratis

This game is going to be won and lost by each team’s attack, and who can capitalize the most on their chances. So the more ways that each defense can upset their respective opposing attacks, the better.

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Arsenal’s defense hasn’t kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since September against Watford. And that isn’t really a fluke. Most of the goals they’ve surrendered have been completely legitimate and easily attributed to a lapse in defense, or not being sturdy enough.

Sokratis is going to be back in the starting XI again, and he is the incarnation of sturdy. He was great against Bournemouth, and he was great long before that, before the injury got in the way and when he was still paired up with Mustafi.

Context clues would suggest that Mustafi and Sokratis are destined for a reunion against Spurs, and with the enigmatic style of Mustafi, so much is going to be resting on Sokratis’ ability to hold up to the pressure, clean up any mistakes, and be something this defense hasn’t been in years – reliable.

If Sokratis has a good game, multiple goals surrendered can be avoided. As far as a clean sheet… well… let’s not get off topic.

On to No. 3.