Depleted Arsenal Faces Tottenham to Stay in the Title Race

Sudan Events – Agencies

Arsenal embarks on a series of tough matches, starting with a visit to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. Despite the possible absence of several key players, Mikel Arteta’s team can draw courage from their record in North London derbies against their rivals.
Arsenal is two points behind the top of the table after their recent draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, while defending champions Manchester City and Liverpool have made a perfect start to the season.
Dropping easy points has been a source of frustration for Arsenal in their title races over the past two seasons, and with City and Liverpool playing on Saturday, Arsenal could head into Sunday’s clash with Tottenham five points adrift.
For the first time in 38 years, Arsenal will not wear their home kit in a North London derby due to its similarity with Tottenham’s kit. However, two players who won’t be wearing the black kit are captain Martin Ødegaard and midfielder Declan Rice.
Ødegaard is set to be out for several weeks after suffering an ankle injury during Norway’s win over Austria in the UEFA Nations League midweek. Rice, meanwhile, will be suspended following a controversial red card against Brighton.
The form of both teams is often irrelevant in these derbies, which tend to be thrilling encounters. Arsenal, however, has had the upper hand in recent seasons, winning three and drawing once in their last four league meetings with Tottenham.
Tottenham is also dealing with injuries, missing forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke, along with defender Micky van de Ven, but there’s a chance some players could return to the squad.
With Arsenal facing a midweek Champions League clash against Italy’s Atalanta and then City next weekend, Arteta will likely rotate his squad or even change his lineup.
Due to a recent injury to new signing Mikel Merino, the Spanish manager might turn to the versatile Kai Havertz to fill a midfield role.
Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus remains sidelined, and forward Eddie Nketiah moved to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day.
Former Arsenal striker and current Sky Sports analyst Paul Merson commented, “He could have played Leandro Trossard or even Raheem Sterling, but it’s a lot to ask of a winger to play as a forward for his new team.” He added that the club should have signed another striker.
He also noted, “You might get away with two or three games playing with a false nine, but you don’t want to go into seven, eight, or nine games without a true striker.”
The weekend kicks off with Manchester United, sitting in 14th place and looking to overcome their early-season struggles, traveling to newly promoted Southampton, who have yet to pick up a point.
Erik ten Hag is entering his third season as Manchester United manager, but their 3-0 loss to Liverpool under new coach Arne Slot has raised alarm bells among the fans, although the Dutch manager retains the club’s backing.
Table-toppers Manchester City host sixth-placed Brentford, while second-placed Liverpool, the only team yet to concede a goal this season, welcome Nottingham Forest.
Ipswich Town travels to third-placed Brighton, hoping to secure their first win since returning to the top flight, while bottom-placed Everton, who has lost their first three matches, faces Aston Villa.