3 crucial players for Arsenal in the upcoming North London Derby

With the matches against Everton and PSV Eindhoven postponed, this international break has felt even longer. While fans are certainly eager for play to continue, the players are equally keen to pick up where they left off, with their form in the league impressing supporters and neutrals alike.

After the break, however, Arsenal face a tough test.

The Gunners play nine games in October, with the first being a North London Derby against Tottenham. Spurs are grinding out results under Antonio Conte and while their style of play may not be sustainable, they will certainly be challenging for a top-four spot at the bare minimum. An Arsenal win at home would go a long way towards silencing their many detractors.

For that to happen, Mikel Arteta must have his tactics spot on, the crowd must be behind the team from the first minute until the last, and every player will have to be switched on. Arteta’s men will dominate the ball and create chances but they must be alert for counter-attacks. If they defend with the naivete they showed against Manchester United, Spurs will have plenty of joy.

3 crucial players for Arsenal in the North London Derby

Arsenal at their best are formidable and important players must perform at their top level as they look to get one over on their bitter rivals. Here are three players that will be crucial to a derby day win.

3. William Saliba

It’s fair to say that William Saliba was well worth the wait.

Loan after loan and rumour after rumour of a fractured relationship with Mikel Arteta had fans expecting the worst. This season, however, all of the past reports are in the rearview mirror as the Frenchman has started every Premier League game this season, impressing everyone, perhaps even himself.

Saliba has shown that those loan spells were indeed useful as he has developed at an astounding pace. Aerial ability, once a point of concern, has become one of his greatest strengths. His passing and press resistance, once given the caveat of only being tested in Ligue 1, has translated to England. His quality on the ball has been instrumental in helping Arsenal both build and sustain attacking phases of play.

His defensive acumen has been on display as well. As mentioned above, he has been monstrous in the air and equally adept at reading the play and sliding into the channels to cut off counter-attacks. Against Manchester United, however, he was exposed and punished for positional errors against a lethal counter-attacking side.

Tottenham pose the same threat; the likes of Son Heung-min and Richarlison boast pace, trickery and off-the-ball dynamism. Saliba will have to show that he has learned from his former outings. A minor slip-up against a team adept at going back to front quickly could result in a goal. The centre-back will have to be aware of when to get tight to Harry Kane when he drops deep and when to track and cut off runs being made off his shoulder.

In a game where Arsenal are expected to dominate the ball, the backline, with Saliba as its lynchpin, must be alert and attentive.

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