Stephen Kelly has claimed that Tottenham striker Harry Kane could ‘really exploit’ a possible double injury blow to Arsenal duo, Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of the north London derby on Saturday.
The top goalscorer in north London derby history with 13, Kelly shared that Kane ‘relishes’ this fixture and he is a player who just ‘rises to the occasion’.
Kane has made a strong start to the new Premier League season, as Antonio Conte’s side travel to the Emirates looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
The England captain has six goals from his seven matches, it’s not exactly Erling Haaland numbers, but it’s still seriously good, with the Manchester City star even making the ridiculous look normal.
Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that Kane will be one of many threats Mikel Arteta will be worried about, alongside which members of his team are fit and available.
Tierney went off injured whilst on Scotland duty this past week and Zinchenko was out of action before the international break, as ex-Spurs man Kelly reacted to how Kane might make full use of those possible blows, as he told Sky Sports News.
“Everyone knows this is a fixture he relishes,” said Kelly. “He has got 13 goals in this fixture and is the top-scorer in north London derbies.
“He is just a player who rises to the occasion for the game. He scored a fantastic penalty for England at the weekend. A really pressure situation and he’s just a player that thrives off this fixture. He will be hoping that comes to the forefront.
“I think with the injuries Arsenal might have, Tierney might be out, Zinchenko with his issues, then someone like Harry Kane could really exploit that, with the form he is now, you feel if you get the ball into those front players, Son, Kane, Kulusevski and even Perisic, then Tottenham have a real threat in that forward areas.”
GOALS GALORE EXPECTED
One thing the north London derby has always provided is pure entertainment and goals galore.
Even when the duo were struggling, it would still provide that magic, but now they are riding a wave, then it might just be a goal bonanza.
Given that Arsenal are sitting at the top of the Premier League table, and in recent years, the home team have been the one to benefit from this fixture, then it does make Arteta’s men favourites.
But if anyone call cause that upset and send out that statement of intent, then it’s Conte with his ability to eek the best out of anyone and everyone.
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