The Premier League is lastly again tomorrow, and Arsenal proceed their marketing campaign with the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.
Nonetheless, it may very well be a tougher recreation than final yr, as even with Martin Odegaard again in coaching, Mikel Arteta’s facet may very well be with out a number of key gamers.
The supervisor would not say whether or not the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz or Gabriel Martinelli had been again in competition, for instance, however one participant who is certain to be out is Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Brazilian centre-back is ready to be out for no less than just a few weeks, and whereas that is an enormous blow, the answer may very well be to maneuver one other defender into a special place.
Arsenal’s file in opposition to Spurs
Arsenal’s recreation in opposition to Spurs on Sunday afternoon would be the 212th aggressive assembly between the rivals.
Their first encounter got here all the way in which again in November 1896, when the Gunners had been nonetheless south of the River, and led to a 2-1 Arsenal victory.
Since then, whereas the Lilywhites have had intervals of dominance, it is the purple facet of North London which have had the higher of the rivalry, successful 89 video games, drawing 55 and dropping 67.
Unsurprisingly, Arteta’s facet have been much more dominant than that in recent times, dropping simply two of the final ten conferences, drawing one and successful the opposite seven.
Furthermore, the title chasers are undefeated of their final six video games in opposition to their outdated enemy and, regardless of being in a spot of hassle form-wise on the time, gained the newest assembly 2-1.
|
Arsenal’s latest file v Spurs |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Dwelling/Away |
End result |
|
22/23 |
Away |
2-0 (W) |
|
23/24 |
Dwelling |
2-2 (D) |
|
23/24 |
Away |
3-2 (W) |
|
24/25 |
Away |
1-0 (W) |
|
24/25 |
Dwelling |
2-1 (W) |
What makes that win all of the extra spectacular is that Son Heung-min really opened the scoring for the guests within the twenty fifth minute.
Nonetheless, Arsenal had been again in entrance simply 19 minutes later, due to a Dominic Solanke personal aim and a superb effort from Leandro Trossard.
With all that stated, despite the fact that Arteta has constantly gotten the higher of Spurs, the sport on Sunday can be a troublesome one, however he may have already got an answer to Gabriel’s harm.
Arteta’s answer to Gabriel’s harm
The excellent news for Arsenal is that there are just a few methods Arteta can go about changing Gabriel.
For instance, he might convey Cristhian Mosquera again into the facet, play Ben White there and even hand a begin to Piero Hincapie.
Nonetheless, the previous is right-footed, White hasn’t performed at centre-back in a very long time, and the Ecuadorian remains to be unproven on this staff, so throwing him right into a derby could be unwise.
Due to this fact, whereas it may not be the most well-liked choice, Arteta ought to transfer Riccardo Calafiori from left-back into the Brazilian’s place.
Now, there are just a few causes for this, and the primary is that, just like the injured star, the Italian worldwide is left-footed, and whereas that may not appear all that vital at first, it truly is.
It offers the defence some actual steadiness and makes it simpler for him to play out from the again when going up the left-hand facet of the pitch.
The second cause the dynamic defender needs to be moved into the again two is that he is already obtained loads of expertise enjoying there.
For instance, throughout his time with Bologna, he made 29 appearances at centre-back and solely six as a full-back. Furthermore, throughout pre-season, he as soon as once more performed there when Gabriel was out with the harm he picked up in opposition to Fulham final season.
Lastly, the 23-year-old “wild horse,” as dubbed by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, has already performed loads of soccer this season, so he needs to be much more conversant in the ways than one of many different choices. And whereas he did return early from worldwide responsibility, there’s a good probability he is able to play.
In the end, whereas Arteta has a number of choices to interchange Gabriel on Sunday, he ought to go along with the £120k-per-week Calafiori.
Arsenal handed one other harm doubt for Tottenham conflict after twist and Gabriel blow
It might see the recall of an thrilling expertise.