Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby, and it may not be a straightforward game.
The Gunners will go into the clash as the favourites on Sunday, but form goes out of the window in a derby, and anything can happen.
Many people, like Gary Neville, think it will be a close game between Arsenal and Tottenham, and that is because it’s so obvious what Spurs are going to do from the very first minute.
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Tottenham were awful defensively under Ange Postecoglou last season, so every team that played against them had a real chance of winning.
Things, however, have changed following the appointment of Thomas Frank in the summer, and we all know how he is going to set his side up to play against Arsenal.
Spurs’ plan will be to deploy a well-organised low-block, nullify everything the Gunners throw at them and then charge forward on the break.
They have done that all season when they aren’t the better side – just ask Paul Merson.
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He wrote on Sportskeeda: “When Spurs are not the favourites and they sit back, absorb pressure and hit you on the break, they are a tricky team to face.”
That could be a problem for Arsenal as they have struggled against low blocks on more than one occasion over the last few years.
Frank’s Brentford used to be a tough opponent for the North Londoners as well, and that continued in pre-season, when Spurs beat the Gunners in a friendly in Asia.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal will be able to overcome this at the Emirates on Sunday.
What is your prediction for the North London Derby?
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Arsenal have created an xG of 13.4 from open play and have scored just eight goals in their 11 Premier League games.
That means they are creating just over one good chance per game from open play, which highlights their struggle against low blocks.
Frank will look to take advantage of that in the North London Derby, but Arsenal are set to have Martin Odegaard back from his injury.
The Norwegian is their key creator and one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. He could be the key to unlocking Tottenham’s defence on Sunday.