Lineups from 11:45

Tottenham:Lloris (c), Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason; Eriksen, Dembele, Lamela; Kane

Subs: Vorm, Davies, Fazio, Chadli, Paulinho, Stambouli, Soldado

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Welbeck, Cazorla, Ozil, Giroud

Subs: Szczesny, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott, Akpom

North London Derby Preview : The Spurs Perspective

Written by @spurs_fanatical

The North London derby fills Spurs fans with excitement and trepidation. There is the anticipation that we can stick one over on our neighbours, but also the fear that there’ll be another hit and run Szczesny selfie doing the rounds at full time.

After the draw at the Emirates earlier in the season, coupled with our good run of form, there is real belief that Mauricio Pochettino can go one better this time. That game saw us drop off and play on the counter, but our key to stifling Arsenal that day saw us take away the space between the lines that their plethora of playmakers like to roam in.

By stationing Ryan Mason and Etienne Capoue in front of our back four, Pochettino snuffed out the space that Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey, Cazorla and Sanchez like to operate in. Congesting this zone stopped Arsenal from playing their short, neat through passing game. Pochettino then got plenty of breakout speed in front of them to get out quickly on the counter, with Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela supporting Emmanuel Adebayor.

With the game this time at White Hart Lane, the boot will be on the other foot. Spurs will be expected to come out and attack; potentially leaving the Gunners to play their counter attacking game. This was Arsene Wenger’s tactic last season at the Lane in a 1-0 smash and grab win. The Gunners had just 40% possession and 3 shots on target, but most importantly Tomas Rosicky’s second minute thunderbolt that settled the match. If Arsene Wenger decides to play that way again, then players like Theo Walcott will be dangerous fantasy assets to own for their ability to score on the break.

Wenger has rolled out his deep-lying counter attacking game recently at Man City with devastating effect. If he goes that way again, then we’ll have to try and find a way to unlock a defence that has kept a clean sheet in their last three Premier League matches.

Harry Kane would be the obvious choice to break open the Arsenal back line, along with Christian Eriksen who is on fire from open play, but also free kicks. For those looking for a differential, Mousa Dembele may make a nice investment. Mauricio Pochettino has pushed the more deep-lying midfielder in to the number ten role. Two assists last weekend against West Brom are testament to how his move further forward is affecting the team. Dembele is playing as more of a destructive number ten, using his size and stature to hem opponents in their half. However, this has also seen him get closer to the opposition goal, where his dribble-drives and layoffs are executed to much greater effect. His shots and chances created have increased and so too should his fantasy output while he remains in this position.

After starting off the season with a sputtering record at home, Mauricio Pochettino has overseen a six match unbeaten streak in the Premier League at the Lane. Four wins and two draws have seen us become a force on our own turf, with a serious chance to extend that unbeaten run today.

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