Arsenal: 4 reasons Arteta should go 4-3-3 vs Tottenham

2. Tottenham Will Be Expecting Granit Xhaka to Start

Pretty much the entire football world foresees Xhaka going straight back into the starting lineup. Arsenal rebuffed Roma’s meagre offer even after the midfielder expressed a desire to join them and then as a result handed him a new contract.

No need going over how ludicrous that decision was again.

But the bottom line is that he was given extended terms. Arteta has an infatuation with the 28-year-old that runs deep. He sees all the better traits. Some say he can’t see the wood for the trees.

Spurs will likely have two plans in place for either outcome. It’s the smart thing to do. Which will they’ll be most focused on, however, will undoubtedly be a double pivot with Partey and Xhaka where the Swiss drops into that left centre-back slot as he so often does to progress the ball from deep.

In a fixture that will hinge so heavily on who gets the opening goal, the early stages will be crucial. Catching Tottenham cold before they have time to settle and adjust in the game with the home crowd on their backs is one of the more effective ways to get this game into a state that benefits Arsenal.

Surprise them.

Continued…