Tottenham Hotspur haven’t got long to wait before they lock horns with their bitter North London rivals and get their season well and truly back on track.
On Sunday afternoon, Spurs host Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a game that could see the hosts tick three very important boxes.
If Tottenham win, they get their season back on track after a difficult start to the campaign, they deal a huge blow to their rivals’ title hopes, and of course they secure bragging rights.
In the past, pundits who played for Tottenham’s rivals tended to be bullish about their former team’s chances, but not this time.
For instance, Alan Smith has admitted that this could be a good time for Spurs to play Arsenal and thinks it’s a hard game to call.
Likewise, Paul Merson has now praised Tottenham and explained why the Gunners should be wary when they take to the pitch in N17.
Paul Merson fears Tottenham will be able to go through Arsenal lines easily
Merson spoke about how Arsenal will be seriously missing the likes of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, which will allow Spurs to go through the lines.
“I’m trying to pick a midfield three and I can’t,” he told Sky Sports. “They might be good on the ball, but they’re not going to get it back when Tottenham have it.
“That’s the worry for me. Jorginho likes to sit there and I don’t think Thomas Partey can go and play as a No 8.
“Tottenham will be able to go through the lines because Arsenal aren’t going to have the players that know the position inside out.”
Merson says Tottenham ‘haven’t been that bad’ as he expresses Arsenal title concerns
Merson continued: “I know there are 30-odd games left but I just can’t see how they make up the seven points.
“I was very bullish last year saying Arsenal would definitely win the North London Derby but I’m not so sure this season – and it’s a game they can’t afford to lose in the title race.
“I’m a bit worried for Arsenal without the suspended Declan Rice and Tottenham being at home.
“Last season, Arsenal dominated and then all of a sudden they let in a goal and you could only see one result, and that was Tottenham coming back.”
Then, on the subject of Spurs, Merson said: “I don’t think there’s a lot wrong with Tottenham at the moment.
“They have been bang unlucky. They could easily be sitting on nine points and top of the league.
“There’s not a lot in it at the moment with Spurs. They’ve not been as bad as what people probably think only because of the points they’ve got.
“The performances haven’t been that bad.”
READ MORE: How to watch Tottenham v Arsenal: TV channel, kick-off time and team news
Tottenham v Arsenal preliminary team news
Tottenham are optimistic of having defender Micky van de Ven back after he missed the Newcastle loss before pulling out of Netherlands duty.
Likewise, Dominic Solanke could return after he missed Tottenham’s last two games, while Richarlison is not expected to be fit and Yves Bissouma is a doubt.
Meanwhile, opposition captain Martin Odegaard is a serious doubt due to an ankle injury, while Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also sidelined.
Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knock on Italy duty, while Gabriel Jesus has been dealing with a groin problem of late.
Finally, Declan Rice is suspended after his sending-off against Brighton last time out.
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