Arsenal v Tottenham: How to beat Nuno Espirito Santo’s team

3. Arteta Needs to Get His Team & Tactics Right From the Start

When news dropped that every Arsenal player was fit and available for Sunday, it was met with excitement, but also trepidation. Granit Xhaka is one of Arteta’s favorite players and you would not back against the Spaniard putting the Swiss straight into the starting XI.

In Xhaka’s absence, Arsenal has won three on the bounce and has not conceded a goal. Coincidence? Possibly, but it is clear that Xhaka should be down the pecking order when the team is picked. The likes of Partey, Lokonga, Smith Rowe, and Martin Odegaard should all be picked ahead of Xhaka.

However, that doesn’t mean Arteta feels the same way.

In truth, it should be roughly the same XI that started and won at Burnley last weekend. Although, it remains to be seen whether Partey can be the sole anchor in midfield against a team like Spurs.

Then there are tactics, something that Arteta has been both great and awful at. In a game of this magnitude, how the team is set up is invalubale in deciding the game. How does Arsenal position themselves when they have the ball? Does Kieran Tierney bomb forward and then a back four become a three with Tomiyasu tucking in on the right-hand side or is there versatility in that regard?

What about the midfield mix? Partey will be starting but does Arteta pair him with Albert Sambi Lokonga or have him as the sole midfield shield with Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe rotating through at various times so that Arsenal can press high early doors?

With all players available, there is no margin for Arsenal and Arteta with three points a must. Too many times when it all feels set up for the Gunners to make a statement, they fail and badly. Will this time be different? Sunday can’t come quick enough.