North London Derby Preview: win and they're in

"To dare is to do," the saying reported to ring through Tottenham Hotspur's stadium today when they face their North London rival Arsenal. While Arsenal fans know what's at stake for their team if they are to beat Tottenham, the nerves are beginning to grow amongst fans. Although this saying around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium seems to be a scare tactic and may bring a nervousness to Arsenal fans, it appears to be fueling the Arsenal players more than anything else. "It's going to be good fun," Arsenal goalkeeper told SkySports, "If you don't get excited and nervous for this type of game, then I think you're in the wrong profession… I'd probably say as a new Arsenal player and a new fan of the team, this is the biggest one for a long time with the magnitude of the game and what can come for both teams."

There's no doubt that Ramsdale is correct; this derby feels more significant than any other one in years past. While there is a narrative about who could win the top-four race in the Premier League based on the result of this game, there's also been growing tension between clubs on the meaning of these three points. There have been bitter quotes thrown about this match since late January after Arsenal could not play after a round of COVID-19

positive tests. Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has complained more than once about Arsenal "avoiding" the game and even added more on what he thinks about Arsenal skipping the match in January, saying this week, "For sure, it was very strange that our game was postponed for covid and Arsenal didn't have one player with covid…At that time, it was unfair what happened, but now this is the past and we have to be focused on the present and try to get the best result.I think this could be a good chance for us to get three points against their whole team because if we played in January they were without many players because they were committed at the African Cup [of Nations] and injuries," (goal.com). But, whether Conte wants to admit it or not, the game will be played today, and there's no returning to last January.

As Conte mentions words of the past, Arteta's focusing on one goal in mind, win, and

they're in. "The message is clear, if we win against them we are in the Champions League next season. You don't need any motivation or to tell them anything more than that. The opportunity is there, we are going to play and go for it like we always do. It's how we have got into this position, and it's how we are going to approach it," (football.london). Arsenal is very aware that all they need to do is control their destiny, just like they have this entire season. For a team that started with three crushing defeats, they dusted themselves off and marched through a season full of trials

and tribulations. It's clear that if Arsenal doesn't win this match, they still control their destiny for the fourth place spot in the league table, but facing a surging Newcastle United and desperate relegation-fringe Everton side, is that the way Arsenal would like to handle their business? A win against Tottenham guarantees fourth place and the Champions League qualification, so knowing how Arteta coaches this side it should be expected that Arsenal will look to handle their business against Spurs.

Arsenal will face several question marks before the game, however, due to injuries from two of their vital players. Arteta said that centre-back Ben White is still considered a "doubt" ahead of the game, and midfielder Bukayo Saka is still dealing with a knock. It may be just mind games from Arteta, but as reported, both Saka and White were not pictured in any of the training yesterday. Losing those two players could be a massive blow to Arsenal's distribution, especially out of the back if White is out. Fellow centre-back Rob Holding has performed strongly in White's absence, but his passing distribution is one of his weaknesses that could play right into the hands of Tottenham. As for Saka, attacking from the right-wing could face challenges. Arteta can move Gabriel Martinelli to the right-wing and start Emile Smith Rowe out on the left side, or Arteta could start Nicholas Pepe in place of Saka. If Saka is out, it's doubtful that Arteta goes with the Pepe option due to his poor appearance against Leeds this past Sunday.

An outlying detail that seems to be unspoken about heading into this match is how Arsenal can achieve a win, which falls under the play style. One of the most apparent reasons Liverpool was unable to secure a win at home against Tottenham was how often they played into Tottenham's style of play under Conte. Liverpool is known for a relentless press and dominant on possession, but against Tottenham, they allowed Spurs to sit back and execute their counter-attack play. It's a fact that Tottenham has a lethal one-two knockout power punch with strikers Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. If a team allows both of them to flow free on a counter-attack and beat their individual defenders, it'll more than likely lead to a goal for Spurs. This happened on several occasions with Liverpool and almost cost them a draw in the final minutes against Tottenham. Therefore, Arsenal must maintain their formation and discipline out of the back without making reckless challenges within midfield and force Tottenham out of their style of play. Mohamed Elneny has stepped into a decisive pairing role with Granit Xhaka for Arsenal, but he must be ready for quick pressures in this game. Thomas Partey, in his first NLD, was unable to handle some of the pressures from Spurs that led to several turnovers. It's important to point out that at the time, Spurs were managed by Jose Mourinho, but Conte has similarities in terms of defensive structure with his central midfielders. If Arsenal can play their style as they did against Chelsea, Manchester United, and (at times) West Ham United, they could pin errors within Tottenham's defensive third and lead to goal-scoring opportunities for the Gunners.

With all that being said, the bitter rivalry, what's at stake in the Premier League table, the injuries, and ways to win, what's the best formation that Arteta can put out against Tottenham?

Predicted Starting 11:

GK- Aaron Ramsdale

RB- Cedric Soares

CB- Ben White

CB- Gabriel

LB- Takehiro Tomiyasu

CM- Mohamed Elneny

CM- Granit Xhaka

RM- Bukayo Saka

CAM- Martin Ødegaard

LM- Gabriel Martinelli

ST- Eddie Nketiah

Based on previous quotes from players wanting to win this NLD, it's an assumption that Saka and White will be able to play against Spurs. If they're unable to, it'll be Rob Holding and Emile Smith Rowe making appearances for the two players. One of the gambles that Arteta may go with again is shifting Tomiyasu back out to left-back and keeping Cedric at right-back. The thought of Nuno Tavares trying to mark Son or Dejan Kulusevski seems like the ultimate nightmare for Arsenal fans and isn't fair to the player himself as well. However, Tomiyasu provided more defensive stability against Leeds United, so it could be a safer bet to start him over Tavares. Arteta will either use Holding and Smith Rowe later in the game in terms of substitutions, but if those two are forced to start, then expect Lacazette, possibly Tavares or Pepe, and Albert Sambi Lokonga to feature.

Score Prediction:

2-2 Draw

This game is destined to be explosive right at the start of the whistle. There's too much at stake for both clubs to start nervous and tight. Pockets of space will open up on both sides of the field, and the true battle will be within the midfield. The balance between Xhaka and Elneny has helped Ødegaard tremendously in remaining forward to create chances for Nketiah and Co. They will have to be just as strong in this match; otherwise, it'll add immense pressure on Arsenal's backline for most of the game. It's to be expected that Son, Kane, or even both, score in this match, but it depends on how Arsenal responds to the adversity they'll likely face. Arteta has helped his team rise to the occasion so many times this season, so expect him to do the same for this derby.

This match means so much for Arsenal. If they win, they can guarantee players in the upcoming transfer window Champions League matches, and the club will have a larger budget for who they can target. A win will also end a long drought for Arsenal fans who've been waiting so long to see the Gunners back in Europe's best competition. While a loss will still keep Arsenal in fourth by one point, it's entirely unclear how the team would react to that kind of loss. It's a much clearer vision to focus on getting the win. As Arteta said, and as the saying goes, "win and you're in."