Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs will travel to Arsenal at the Emirates for next Sunday’s North London derby – who will get the Premier League bragging rights?
Next Sunday’s first North London derby of the season could hardly look more tantalising.
Unai Emery’s Arsenal are a team much improved in the opening weeks of 2018/19, displaying their new-found character and determination with a hard-fought 2-1 win away at Bournemouth at the weekend. In truth, this feels like the sort of game that Arsene Wenger’s side would have lost.
Tottenham, meanwhile, head to the Emirates on the back of their best performance of the entire campaign. Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son were all on target as Spurs thrashed Chelsea at Wembley, a 3-1 win ending Maurizio Sarri’s unbeaten start to life in England.
But speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT (26 November, 11am), former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy has identified one area where Tottenham have an advantage over Arsenal – the defence.
“I’d choose Tottenham’s squad ahead of Arsenal’s. Can Arsenal beat Tottenham? Of course they can, it will be a hell of a game,” Murphy said.
“I’d edge for Tottenham always. If I was having a spare tenner I’d put my money on Tottenham but only because Tottenham’s defence is better than Arsenal’s.”
After 13 games, Arsenal have conceded five more goals than their local rivals and they looked vulnerable once again away at Bournemouth. Emery’s switch to a back three almost backfired with Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding frequently exposed down the flanks.
Tottenham, in contrast, could welcome Jan Vertonghen back to fitness before next weekend with the Belgian likely to resume his partnership with compatriot Toby Alderweireld.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
