Laura Woods: Why Weakened Arsenal Can Win North London Derby
Understrength Gunners still a derby force
The potential of no Martin รdegaard and the suspension of Declan Rice is a huge blow for Arsenal ahead of the North London Derby against Tottenham.
They are both key figures for their leadership and creativity โ Arsenal will be hugely affected by that as well as by the dropped points against Brighton before the break.
Although Spurs are much improved theyโre without the likes of Richarlison and Yves Bissouma for this game and they havenโt won a North London Derby since 2022.
Dominic Solanke may be back in time, though, and he can be a real danger. It could be Spursโ best chance to get a win against Arsenal in some time.
I think itโll be as fierce as ever and a draw would be a smart prediction for this oneโฆ but Iโm going for an Arsenal win 2-1.
Arteta knows how to box clever
If Arsenal can win the derby I think it does reinforce their title credentials โ although those credentials were already there last season and even the season before.
They absolutely can win the league this time. If Arsenal do come out of a North London Derby with a win away from home, while managing the injuries and suspensions they have, theyโll be exhibiting the type of backbone you need to win a title for sure.
Mikel Arteta has to be smart about it though. Heโll know what the team he fields on Sunday can achieve and whether to go for the jugular or be more smart with it and be happy with a point.
Spurs have gears to go up
I like Ange Postecoglou as a manager and I think heโs done a lot of good things with this Tottenham team. They can still be frail though โ they concede a lot and can be far too open.
This season so far theyโve had a win, a loss and a draw but theyโve been without key players so itโs hard to fully judge their potential this early on.
If Spurs turn more of their many chances into goals they may well be able to establish themselves in the top four and back into the Champions League next season because they have so much quality in attack.
๐ญ @Laura_Woodsy's ๐ฟ๐๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ผ๐ is complete โ
โ BetMGM UK (@BetMGMUK) September 11, 2024
And it might not shock many which ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ she's choosing to be in the dugout ๐ ๐ #EPL #FPL pic.twitter.com/5DEPCuoMdY
Ten Hag safeโฆ for now
Itโs too early to start questioning Erik ten Hagโs job so close to winning the FA Cup and beating Manchester City in the process.
That 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford will hurt for a while though, thereโs no question of that.
And the manner of it especially. They made mistakes, particularly in midfield, and thereโs still no sign of the kind of consistency Manchester United fans have been begging to see for a long time now.
But weโre only three games in and trophies arenโt won or lost this early on. Stranger things have happened than a manager being relieved of his duties at this stage (just ask Frank de Boer) and a loss to a newly promoted side in Southampton would be incredibly damaging.
Next England manager needs experience
I didnโt expect Gareth Southgate to be given the England job when he was back while interim manager, so the FA could absolutely give it to Lee Carsley permanently and it wouldnโt surprise me.
I enjoyed seeing the shackles off more and would like to see him given a bit more time with the team. But if a big name and a proven winner were to enter the frame, Iโd obviously be more attracted to that.
Weโve been the nearly team for far too long and this generation of players deserve an old head guiding them through to reach their full potential. I think thatโs what the FA should be looking for.
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