Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Paul Merson names the two Arsenal players Tottenham could take advantage of in North London derby
Arsenal are a bit short in midfield ahead of the first North London derby of the season against Tottenham Hotspur.
Declan Rice is suspended and the likes of Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard are injured, leaving Mikel Arteta with a massive selection headache.
While it remains to be seen what the Spaniard decides in terms of the third midfield option, Jorginho and Thomas Partey are shoo-ins to start the derby.
And Paul Merson feels Tottenham could potentially take advantage of the Arsenal pair’s frailties if they get their tactics right.
Paul Merson suggests Tottenham should target Jorginho and Thomas Partey
If Kai Havertz were to drop into midfield, Merson feels the vacancy in attack could open up an opportunity for Raheem Sterling to make his debut for the club.
“I think Sterling plays tomorrow,” said Merson live on on Saturday.
“I think to beat Tottenham and because they have got such a high line, you have got to have players who are good without the ball, who are prepared to run without the ball.
“And that’s what beats Tottenham, people who are prepared to run without the ball and beat that line.
The Arsenal icon, however, fired warning shots at his former team over Partey and Jorginho, who he believes could come up second best to their Tottenham counterparts as they haven’t got the legs anymore to keep them at bay.
Merson continued: “For me, the worry would be with Arsenal, Partey ain’t got real legs. Jorginho hasn’t got legs.”
Earlier this week, Merson predicted the derby to end in a draw, while Aaron Lennon feels Tottenham can record a famous win against Arsenal.
Tottenham yet to beat Arsenal under Ange Postecoglou
The corresponding fixture finished 3-2 in favour of Arsenal last season, while the Gunners played out a 2-2 draw at home against their local rivals.
Postecoglou’s side have played good football this season and one could argue they haven’t got what they deserved with their tally of four points out of nine.
With Arsenal struggling with a bunch of absentees in midfield, Tottenham will be licking their lips at the prospect of getting one over them in front of their home fans.