Preview for Arsenal v Spurs
Thomas Frank did not try to shy away from the importance of tomorrow’s North London Derby, even though his Tottenham side go in as massive underdogs.
Spurs’ record on their neighbours’ patch is wretched – one win in their last 32 visits – and Arsenal are an even more formidable force this season.
But Frank was happy to talk up the size of the occasion.
He said: “This is the real one. Super excited.
“Of course, before I stepped into the club, I knew about the North London Derby but it’s when you are in it, you sense it and feel that it is important.
“You get that from the fans, the staff, the players, people who have been working here for years. This is the big one.
“I always say the next game is the most important but I am very, very aware that there are two games a year that are even more important – and this is the first of them.
“We’re ready, we’re looking forward it and we’ll do everything we can to win.”
Spurs have won just one of their last four Premier League games but Frank was sounding an optimistic note when discussing his side’s chances at the Emirates.
“I’m very confident in the team going into the game on Sunday,” he added.
“Big respect against a good team, currently – and we don’t like it – but Arsenal are top of the table by a distance.
“They’ve been good for a few years but we have to turn that around. It’s one game on Sunday, one game where I’m convinced we will compete a lot.”
Arsenal hold a four-point lead over Manchester City heading into the weekend action and boss Mikel Arteta knows this special occasion will require a special performance from his players.
“It is about bringing it into the game and that is a superpower,” he said.
“When you have everybody playing with that passion and emotion with the team in every single ball, it makes a difference.
“We’re privileged with the way our fans have been with us at the Emirates.
“It is a game that emotionally requires something else. You cannot be too hot but the game demands that in every action you have to be at it a bit more than in any other game.
“We have found a good balance [in past derbies], sometimes we have deserved to win, sometimes we have been a bit lucky to win, that is fair to say. We need to play a good game on Sunday.”
Arsenal’s 10-game winning streak in all competitions was ended before the international break when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland.
Team news for Arsenal v Spurs
Arsenal will be without key defender Gabriel who has been ruled out for several weeks.
Arteta was giving little away when asked about the fitness of Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard.
Spurs will have Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus available.
Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray are not yet ready and Dominic Solanke is some way off being fit.
Predicted line-ups for Arsenal v Spurs
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Spurs: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Sarr; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Richarlison
How to watch Arsenal v Spurs
Arsenal versus Spurs kicks off tomorrow at 4.30pm UK time. It tops the bill on Sky Sports’ Soccer Sunday.
It is also available to stream on Sky Go.
Stats for Arsenal v Spurs
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