Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at The Emirates on Sunday for the first North London derby of the season and Mauricio Pochettino has a decision to make.
The North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is a tough one to call.
Spurs have been the better of the two sides over the last few years, finishing above The Gunners in each of the last two seasons and head to the Emirates on the back of their two best results of 2018/19, deserved victories against Chelsea and Inter Milan.
Arsenal, however, are unbeaten in their last 18 games and seem to have developed a new-found steel under Unai Emery.
With all this in mind, the game is likely to be decided by fine margins or match-changing mistakes. And, speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT (30 November, 11.30am), former Arsenal forward Perry Groves has suggested his side could prevail by taking advantage of the erratic Tottenham centre-back Juan Foyth.
“I’m pleased Foyth is playing for Spurs at centre-half,” Groves said, not wanting to hide his allegiances. “I know Spurs fans are saying ‘oh, he’s a good young player’ (but) he’s got one in him, he’s got a penalty in him.”
“He makes rash decisions and I hope that he plays.”
Foyth gave away two penalties on his Premier League debut, almost costing his side dear in their narrow 3-2 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. And he very nearly made the same mistake again as he clattered into Eden Hazard inside the box against Chelsea on Saturday.
Foyth was fortunate to get away with his naivety as referee Martin Atkinson waved away Chelsea’s appeals.
But whether the Argentine will start against Arsenal remains to be seen with Jan Vertonghen returning from injury against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
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