Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby right after the international break.
The Gunners will go into the game as the favourites, but it must be said that it will be a much more difficult challenge than last season.
Thomas Frank has made Spurs a better side, and former Tottenham star Sandro has liked what he has seen from his old side.
However, ahead of the North London Derby, the Brazilian has made a claim about Spurs’ two central defenders that is beyond ridiculous.
Sandro says Tottenham have the best defensive partnership in the Premier League
Tottenham’s defence has improved a lot compared to last season.
Micky van de Ven has been fit all campaign, which has been a boost, and he has looked settled whenever he has played with Cristian Romero.
Spurs fans absolutely love their two central defenders and rightly so, but Sandro has gone a bit overboard with his assessment.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
The former Tottenham midfielder has boldly claimed that Romero and Van de Ven share the best defensive partnership in the entire Premier League.
That is a laughable claim, as it has been common knowledge for over two years now that Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have formed the best defence – not just in the Premier League but Europe as well.
Sandro told Football London: “I think so, I believe that it is the best defensive partnership in the Premier League, because you can see the quality that Van de Ven has and his speed.
“Yes, he made a mistake against Chelsea, but who doesn’t make a mistake? Everybody does, and if you balance the mistakes and the good things that he does, he’s amazing.
“The leadership that Romero has, it’s unbelievable. You can see straight away the way he manages the game, the way he talks with the referees, with the midfielders. I love Romero. Proper leader.”
Arsenal’s defence compared to Tottenham’s in 2025/26
Arsenal have conceded just five goals in 17 games in all competitions this season, while Tottenham have let in 16 goals in 18 games.
Romero and Van de Ven have not played all of those games together. They have been on the pitch together 12 times this season, but Spurs have still conceded 10 goals in those fixtures.
Gabriel and Saliba, on the other hand, have started 14 games together in all competitions this season and have let in five goals.
One of those was a screamer from Dominik Szoboszlai against Liverpool – Saliba wasn’t even on the pitch when that strike went in.
The data clearly shows that Saliba and Gabriel are levels above their Tottenham counterparts and share the best defensive partnership in the Premier League.
Sandro’s comments make no sense whatsoever.