Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal go head to head after the International break in the first North London derby of the season.
Both teams suffered disappointing results prior to the International break as Spurs lost away at Newcastle and Arsenal were held at home to Brighton.
Ange Postecoglou and Mikel Arteta both have key injuries to contend with going into the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Postecoglou is waiting to see whether Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven will be fit whilst Arteta will be missing his best midfield trio.
Martin Odegaard is set to miss the derby with an ankle injury, Mikel Merino is out with a shoulder issue and Declan Rice is suspended for the trip to Tottenham.
Ahead of the derby, James Maddison has sent a stirring message to Tottenham supporters, words he must now go and backup on September 15.
James Maddison claims Tottenham players know what derby means to fans
Maddison has told Tottenham fans that he knows how much the North London derby means to them. The midfielder explained the importance of players needing to understand rivalries.
The 27-year-old claims that ever since he has arrived in N17, it has been made clear to him how important beating Arsenal is to the fans.
Maddison told Sky Sports: “One thing you have to grasp in derbies is how your supporters feel. Since I joined the club it’s been made very clear by fans that this derby means a lot to them.
“A lot of people who live around here, live in Tottenham and North London families are divided by this rivalry and that’s what football does to people.
“Firstly, we know what it means to the, how big it is to them and how literally one game can affect six months worth of bragging rights.”
James Maddison must step up and be counted in North London derby
Maddison must now go and back up his comments with a dominant performance in the North London derby. The midfielder was underwhelming in the defeat away at Newcastle.
Since his injury all the way back in November, the England international has struggled to recapture his best form, which has subsequently seen him miss out on the last two England squads.
Now, as a senior player and vice-captain, he must lead the way in the derby and help Spurs take advantage of Arsenal’s injury woes.
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