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

Here we are at the stage of the season when Arsenal faces off against its bitter rivals Tottenham. The Gunners are coming into this off a relatively routine 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in midweek, while Spurs needed penalties to get past Wolves in the Carabao Cup.

This is the game that really matters above all else. Playing at home and in the better form, Arsenal is the favorite heading in Sunday’s game.

Mikel Arteta has a full squad to choose from for the first time in what seems like forever as this is a true test of his game style, tactics, and players. Spurs defeated Arsenal once last season with Jose Mourinho at the helm and Arteta will want to build on the 2-1 victory over Tottenham back in March.

Arsenal can even leapfrog Spurs in the table if they win by two clear goals, even if the scrappiest of scrappy wins will do just fine as the inevitable 90-minute long agony awaits.

Arsenal v Tottenham: How to beat Nuno Espirito Santo’s team in Sunday’s crucial North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium

Excitement quickly turns to anguish as the suffering that comes with this fixture, particularly on home soil, seeps in. It’s the North London Derby. It’s a special occasion.

So, how do Arsenal go about securing what would be a vital three points at the Emirates on Sunday?

1. Stop Harry Kane & Son Heung-min

Easier said than done, right?

Reminiscent of Didier Drogba’s hold over Arsenal in his Chelsea days, Harry Kane always seems to find the net against the Gunners. With Gabriel and Ben White now established as the first-choice center-back pairing, it feels like Arsenal is finally equipped well enough to deal with Kane’s threats.

In Kane’s 12 matches against the Gunners, the Englishman has netted 11 times and recorded one assist, so his threat is clear. It’s inevitable he will extend his lead as the all-time highest goalscorer in this fixture at some stage in the near future.

While not being in the best form so far this year after his proposed move the Manchester City fell through, it just feels set up for Kane to score on Sunday.

As for Son Heung-min, his threat, like Kane’s, has been a constant against Arsenal. In his last three Premier League games, Son has scored and assisted twice so it is vital Arteta puts time into how to stop the South Korean superstar.

Gabriel bossed the England captain back in March and the usual threat in behind that Son poses has the scope to be better dealt with thanks to the improved pace at the back with Ben White and the Brazilian.

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2. Make Dominance Count

In the last two outings against Spurs, Arteta’s side has dominated. In Arsenal’s 2-1-win last time out, the Gunners had 53% possession and registered 13 shots to six. Earlier in that same year, despite Arsenal’s ‘dominance’, Spurs ran out 2-0 winners.

After having 69% possession and 11 shots to six, Arsenal was hit with two sucker punches from Son and Kane. This cannot happen this time around as there is simply too much riding on this result.

With full crowds now returning to the Emirates, the player should be buoyed by the noise created, and should Arsenal control the game as they have done in the last two meetings then goals should follow with a fully fit squad to choose from.

Dominating the ball in the early stages and getting players into the right areas will pile the pressure on Spurs. However, we have seen far too often that they can hit Arsenal on the counter with devastating effect. Santo likes his sides attack with verticality and pace. Because of this, when the Gunners are in a period of dominance, they must make it count.

Having Thomas Partey get another 60 odd minutes under his belt to further build his fitness levels for this one and to have the first choice back four available, it is even more crucial that Arsenal make their forays forward worthwhile. There is nothing more deflating than controlling the game for large spells only for them to score a soft goal going the other way.

It’s happened far too often.

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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.