Arsenal vs Tottenham: 5 key players in second North London Derby

3. Sead Kolasinac

Not having Sead Kolasinac for the Southampton match changed things. It forced Granit Xhaka into the left centerback role that Nacho Monreal probably would have played in order to make room for Kolasinac at left wingback.

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Monreal didn’t do bad at wingback, to his credit. He grabbed an assist, had a solid presence, and played the overlap well, despite not defending particularly well, but he was no Kolasinac. He never turned that corner like the Bosnian does. Literally every time Kolasinac turns the corner, we have a chance to score, and no one else seems to be able to replicate that.

With Hector Bellerin out for “weeks,” according to Unai Emery, we are going to need Kolasinac to get back in there on the other side of the pitch and become the chief creator again, because there was definitely still something missing, despite Monreal’s attacking ability.

Plus, when the inevitable scuffle does happen, I really want Kolasinac out there to scare everyone away like he did last time. It’s just too damn entertaining to miss.

Onward and upward to No. 2.