Arsenal vs Tottenham: 5 key players with anticipation brimming

2. Granit Xhaka

The man whose value can only be seen (by some) when he doesn’t play. Granit Xhaka was absent against Bournemouth, no doubt to save him up for the Derby.

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Since returning from injury, Xhaka has been on an absolute tear, going above and beyond his usual order of business. He’s been creating chances, laying on the hurt defensively and being even extra controlling of the ball whenever it is so graced to be in his possession.

While a lot of things went right against Bournemouth, one thing didn’t – control. The match was a free-for-all which, thankfully, fell to the side that had more talent. Free-for-alls can be fun when all you do is attack, attack, attack, but as we saw against Manchester United in a similar free-for-all, when the opposition can attack back, it’s not always as fun.

Granit Xhaka missed that United match too. See the theme?

We don’t want a free-for-all against Spurs. Too many risks. It makes far more sense to try to control the match and trust in our key guys to do their job and spring the attack. From there, it will be up to the finishers to take their chances, and with how high confidence is, I wouldn’t bet against them.

Finally, key man No. 1.