Verdict: Harry Kane to score anytime
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
Sunday offers up the first north London derby of the season as Arsenal host rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium, as Unai Emery gets his first taste of this historic match.
Arsenal
Starting with Sunday’s hosts, coming off the back of a 3-0 win over Vorskla that confirmed their spot as group winners in this years Europa League, nobody can doubt the immediate impact that Unai Emery has had at Arsenal. Now unbeaten in their last 18 matches across all competitions, the Gunners are also now unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League matches with their most recent defeat coming at Chelsea in August. Now sat just one point adrift of reclimbing back into the Champions League positions, the former PSG boss will be looking to improve on his sides recent defensive issues. The Gunners have now failed to record a clean sheet in over 500 minutes of Premier League football, a run that goes back to the end of September. However, they do have one man in the final third who is enjoying a very bright start to the season. Joint top Premier League goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored with his last eight shots on target and has 20 goals in his 31 appearances.
Team News
Arsenal will monitor striker Alexandre Lacazette, who missed the win at Bournemouth with a groin injury.
The Gunners named an inexperienced side against Vorskla Poltava on Thursday and will recall their senior players, though it remains to be seen whether Mesut Ozil earns a starting role.
Tottenham
As for Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side, while they’re certainly going about it the hard way, Christen Eriksen’s late winner against Inter Milan on Wednesday has breathed new life into the Champions League campaign. Now enjoying a six-match winning run across all competitions, victory would give Spurs their highest-ever points total after 14 games of a Premier League season. While they did lose the last meeting at the Emirates 2-0, that was their only north London derby defeat in the last eight meetings between the two sides. Desperately looking to pick up their first piece of silverware under their Argentinian boss, Tottenham will be looking for their attacking talisman to carry on his recent record against the Gunners. Along with scoring seven Premier League goals this season, the England skipper has now netted 25 times in 39 Premier League capital clashes. Kane has also scored seven goals in eight appearances against Arsenal.
Team News
Tottenham defender Juan Foyth returns after being ineligible for Wednesday’s win against Inter Milan.
Fit-again Jan Vertonghen could play his first league game since September.
Key Factors to Consider
- Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-0 at the Emirates last season, but that is their only win in their last eight league games against Spurs (D4, L3).
- Spurs have only won one of their last 25 top-flight games away to the Gunners (D10, L14), with their solitary success a 3-2 victory in 2010.
- The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 11 league games (W8, D3), with their most recent defeat coming at Chelsea in August.
- Arsenal have won three of their last 28 league games against other sides from the established top six (D10, L15).
- Harry Kane has scored seven goals in seven Premier League games against Arsenal.
Conclusion
A game that has a history of producing chances at both ends, we believe that the first north London derby of the season will be no different. Given the fact that Arsenal have now failed to keep a clean sheet in over 500 minuets of Premier League football, coupled with Harry Kane’s stellar record against Spurs’ bitter rivals, we are backing the England skipper to find the net once again on Sunday.
Verdict: Harry Kane to score anytime
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
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