3. Must be perfect in defensive transition
Tottenham are devastating on the counter-attack. (Photo Visionhaus/Getty Images)
There is a multitude of tactical sub-plots to analyse in the build-up to Saturday’s derby. The most significant, though, is how well Arsenal perform in defensive transition. If they’re to avenge May’s chastening defeat, the Gunners must stop Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
The Lilywhite duo have been the bane of Arsenal for many years and together, they’ve combined for 18 North London derby goals. Kane is the highest-scoring player in this fixture, while Son enters Saturday’s bout having rediscovered his most destructive form. After scoring a rapid hat-trick against Leicester, Son scored twice for South Korea during the break.
How Arteta goes about slowing the tandem down will be so intriguing. Thomas Partey will likely screen passes into Kane with Gabriel tracking, while William Saliba will attempt to man-mark Son. Arsenal’s high defensive line means Spurs could have a field day if the hosts aren’t aggressive enough, but the backline has functioned well so far and Saliba has the talent to nullify Son.
Shackling the pair early will be important, but Arsenal must be wary of the third attacking option in Conte’s arsenal (again, presuming the 3-4-3 is retained). Dejan Kulusevski is an injury doubt, which means Richarlison should get the nod. The Brazilian isn’t as technically secure as the Swede, and Spurs may struggle to get up the pitch as a result, but he’s a major threat in the box and he’s savvy enough to buy fouls and bypass pressure with a clever flick or dummy.
This is a game Arsenal are expected to dominate on home soil, but Spurs are so organised defensively under Conte and their threat in transition will remain throughout. It’ll only take one misstep for the Gunners to be punished. Arteta’s structure will be key to nullifying the visitors and if they’re successful in this regard, it’d be hugely surprising to see Spurs walk away with anything.
Saturday’s contest will be laden with quality</a> and the home faithful will try their utmost to create a vibrant but hostile atmosphere.</p>
<p><span style="color: inherit;font-size: 20px;font-style: italic;font-weight: bold">3 keys to an Arsenal victory in Saturday’s North London Derby</span></p>
<p>Arsenal have dominated Spurs at the Emirates over the years, and here are three keys to a Gunners victory in the North London derby on Saturday.</p>
<h2>1. Target Spurs’ left-hand side in the build-up</h2>
<div id="attachment_129707" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129707" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2338,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1425238954.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2338" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1425238954.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1425238954-768x561.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Clement Lenglet is set to start in place of the injured Ben Davies for Spurs on Saturday. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Conte’s Spurs are far from relentless pressers, but they’re far more proactive out of possession than many give them credit for. There will be times when they attempt to win the ball high up the pitch on Saturday.</p>
<p>Thus, Arsenal’s stellar build-up will be put to the test by the savvy Italian coach but teams this season have found success targeting Spurs’ left-hand side.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rúben Amorim targeted the same structural weakness in Conte’s shape that Tuchel targeted a few weeks ago (when he played two 10s). Amorim dropped his false 9 (first Edwards then Paulinho) deep to overload Spurs’ double pivot. This is how all three of Sporting’s big chances arose. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://t.co/9qPpeExCiP">pic.twitter.com/9qPpeExCiP
<p>— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://twitter.com/PremLeaguePanel/status/1569759232760729600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>As the excellent <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://twitter.com/PremLeaguePanel/status/1569759232760729600" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League Panel</a> notes above, both Chelsea and Sporting overloaded Spurs between the lines to facilitate easy progression through the right half-space. In Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta boasts a pair of smart and athletic footballers that can quickly rotate to overload Spurs’ two-man midfield and pick gaps in their defensive structure. The high and wide positioning of Bukayo Saka will hopefully pin Spurs’ left wing-back – or draw the attention of the left centre-back – and space should open up for either Odegaard or Jesus to exploit between the lines.</p>
<p>With the superb and aggressive Cristian Romero operating on the opposite side, the Gunners – who typically progress down the left – would be wise to change tack on Saturday and focus their build-up down the right.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, you can bet your bottom dollar that Arteta will seek to dominate the contest via overloading Spurs’ midfield in myriad ways. It’s all about manipulating the positions of Spurs’ midfield pivot (presuming Conte sticks with the 3-4-3) and they should have success in doing so by the left-back inverting, and Granit Xhaka and Odegaard functioning higher up the pitch.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 key to an Arsenal win in the NLD </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. Score first</h2>
<div id="attachment_129490" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129490" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2183,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1243321159.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2183" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243321159.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1243321159-768x524.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">The first goal will be crucial in this derby. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<p>There was a period not so long ago when the first scorer in the North London derby seemed to be cursed! However, with a maturing Arteta at the helm and the meticulous Conte in the opposite dugout, you get the feeling that the first goal on Saturday will be crucial in determining the dynamic of Saturday’s bout.</p>
<p>Both managers want to establish as much control as possible – Arteta with the ball, and Conte without – which makes the upcoming derby so enthralling. A chess match is in store between a pair of ideologically contrasting coaches.</p>
<p>If Arsenal take the lead, it’ll be harder for the Spurs boss to justify a mid/low block with an emphasis on transitions. The Lilywhites have, however, won seven points from losing positions this season – the most in the Premier League.</p>
<p>Arsenal, meanwhile, were excellent when they <a title="Arsenal 2-1 Fulham – 3 talking points as Gunners remain undefeated" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/08/28/arsenal-2-1-fulham-3-talking-points-gunners-remain-undefeated/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went behind against Fulham</a> and they’ve shown at various points this season that they respond well to adversity. Going behind against Conte’s Spurs, though, will leave them at the mercy of an elite counter-attacking side.</p>
<p>For me, it’s more important that Arsenal score the first goal on Saturday. Spurs have often started games slowly this season before improving as the contest wears on.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 key to an Arsenal win in the NLD </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. Must be perfect in defensive transition</h2>
<div id="attachment_129708" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129708" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1422199482.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1422199482.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1422199482-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Tottenham are devastating on the counter-attack. (Photo Visionhaus/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
<p>There is a multitude of tactical sub-plots to analyse in the build-up to Saturday’s derby. The most significant, though, is how well Arsenal perform in defensive transition. If they’re to avenge May’s chastening defeat, the Gunners must stop Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.</p>
<p>The Lilywhite duo have been the bane of Arsenal for many years and together, they’ve combined for 18 North London derby goals. Kane is the highest-scoring player in this fixture, while Son enters Saturday’s bout having rediscovered his most destructive form. After scoring a rapid hat-trick against Leicester, Son scored twice for South Korea during the break.</p>
<p>How Arteta goes about slowing the tandem down will be so intriguing. Thomas Partey will likely screen passes into Kane with Gabriel tracking, while William Saliba will attempt to man-mark Son. <a title="Arsenal’s defence deserves huge credit amid club’s stellar start to season" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/29/3-keys-arsenal-victory-saturdays-north-london-derby/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/23/arsenal-defence-deserves-huge-credit-club-stellar-start-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arsenal’s high defensive line</a> means Spurs could have a field day if the hosts aren’t aggressive enough, but the backline has functioned well so far and Saliba has the talent to nullify Son.</p>
<p>Shackling the pair early will be important, but Arsenal must be wary of the third attacking option in Conte’s arsenal (again, presuming the 3-4-3 is retained). Dejan Kulusevski is an injury doubt, which means Richarlison should get the nod. The Brazilian isn’t as technically secure as the Swede, and Spurs may struggle to get up the pitch as a result, but he’s a major threat in the box and he’s savvy enough to buy fouls and bypass pressure with a clever flick or dummy.</p>
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<p>This is a game Arsenal are expected to dominate on home soil, but Spurs are so organised defensively under Conte and their threat in transition will remain throughout. It’ll only take one misstep for the Gunners to be punished. Arteta’s structure will be key to nullifying the visitors and if they’re successful in this regard, it’d be hugely surprising to see Spurs walk away with anything.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
