Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal: 4 key player battles vs Tottenham in the derby

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (C) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 6, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian defender Gabriel (C) vies with Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 6, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Emerson
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 11: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Emerson of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images) /

2. Nicolas Pepe vs Emerson Royal

There is a rather large question mark over this battle. Namely, is Pepe even going to play, and, would he be out on the left if so?

So this is open for rotation, with whoever lines up down the left wing having to try and isolate Emerson Royal who is still adjusting to this league.

He had a torrid afternoon at Selhurst Park where Wilfried Zaha got the better of him every single time, with the Brazilian trying every method from being touch tight, to aggressive, to stand-offish to then blatantly fouling him and letting Japhet Tanganga take over.

Given he was someone Arsenal wanted to sign, it might have felt like a bullet dodged. While that assessment can’t be made yet as few do have joy against Zaha and it’s very early days into his Spurs career, the point still stands that he’s adjusting to the division.

Pepe would be the ideal candidate to exploit his lack of pace and use a range of angles to attack his zone, although it could also be an Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney combination in which case it falls on the Scot to pull off his trademark tap and burst skill to beat the opposing full-back.

Still not up to speed with the Premier League and also never having tasted a North London Derby atmosphere, it’s an area to get at.

Continued…

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