Five things Tottenham must do to beat Arsenal tomorrow

Tottenham host rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane tomorrow with a massively important three Premier League points on offer.

With both sides in the running for the top four but the Gunners two points ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s men, victory for Spurs would see them leapfrog their rivals and potentially end the weekend in the Champions League qualification places.

In what is an eagerly anticipated clash, small margins have the potential to decide the game in the home side’s favour; here are five things Spurs must do to record victory tomorrow at the Lane.

Continue without Nabil Bentaleb

Following Algeria’s exit from the African Cup of Nations, Nabil Bentaleb is back in Tottenham contention and bolsters Poch’s options in the centre of the park.

Although I believe that Bentaleb should be in the Spurs side when fully fit and firing, after a lot of travel and intense games in Equatorial Guinea, it would be advisable to hold the youth academy graduate back and put him on the bench.

Ryan Mason is back playing well while Benjamin Stambouli has been improving week-on-week; the Frenchman should be given the nod as the enforcer to close down Arsenal’s midfield.

Bring Nacer Chadli back into the side

Mousa Dembele has played well in an advanced role in recent games, playing behind Harry Kane as the number ten.

However, this has meant Christian Eriksen has had to shift out to the left to accommodate the Belgian, while Nacer Chadli has been the man to miss out.

Against Arsenal, despite Dembele’s recent improved form, playing Eriksen centrally where he is most dangerous seems like a better option.

This in turn will allow Chadli to start on the left and provide an additional goal threat in the final third.

Prepare for Alexis Sanchez

Arsene Wenger has suggested this week that the Chilean international will not be available to play at White Hart Lane, but his comments should not be taken as fact.

With rumblings in the press that Sanchez could play a part in the derby, Spurs should prepare to face the former Barcelona man and not be surprised if he is selected.

One way or the other Spurs must focus on what they are good at, play the game to win and not let Sanchez’s unexpected presence play any part in their plans or pre-game preparations.

Test David Ospina

Following shaky performances by Wojciech Szczesny of late, Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina has been handed an opportunity in the Arsenal side and is widely expected to start tomorrow.

In the three games that the South American stopper has played he is yet to concede a goal but he has not been consistently tested either.

In the pressurised atmosphere of a derby fixture, nerves may well play their part and Spurs would be best advised to shoot from range and test the Colombian at the first possible opportunity.

I read a recent tweet from Opta that stated Spurs have scored eight goals from outside the box this season, more than any other Premier League club. Keep the long shots coming.

Start strong

Early goals have had a role to play in recent North London derbies and as such Spurs should look to come out of the blocks firing, take the game to Arsenal, be brave and get into the ascendancy.

Tomas Rosicky’s second-minute goal decided the game in their favour at White Hart Lane last season, while Spurs have been 2-0 up twice in the fixture recently only to go on and capitulate.

Spurs have come from behind a lot of times this season but that is not a situation that is ideal tomorrow.

Getting the first goal, continuing to press the opposition, being confident and continuing to attack are all imperative in Spurs getting a win.

It is a massive fixture, go out and win it boys. COYS!!!

 

Play an aggressive game, disrupt the play of their creative players in Carzola, Rociesiky, Ramsey, Walcott, the ex barca player, n knock off Giroud.
In short, do not give them space.

 

Sanchez is out injured so we don't need to worry about him tomorrow! Play our own game rather than worry about theirs.
We can win this so come on you Spurs!!!

 

Massive game. Suspect Sanchez actually is out, though.
We cannot lose. Always nice to beat them, a draw isn't a bad result, a loss is awful

 

We need to overload the middle, cutoff their ball movement there and make sure that Giroud isn't an aerial threat. After that we ought to watch out for Walcott, I believe if he plays he can be their biggest threat. So Danny Rose needs to be very alert.

 

Except for the massiveness of the game, I disagree with the article on almost everything, especially on its five keys. Dembele was superb #10 on both sides of ball. I would keep him, Eriksen is not as good defensively and may roam from left at will. So no way, it's a detriment. I also would not suggest to get on horse from the onset, rather take Mourinho cautious approach. We have speed to counterattack, let Gooners show what are they after. I'd like to start Bentaleb over Stambouli, there is no way teenager is tired. I'm also convinced that shooting from outside the box is a sign of weakness and lack of patience , skills. It is a sure thing to turn ball over in majority attempts. I wouldn't certainly refrain from occasional shot, but real test of goalkeeper cannot be made from such a distance. The one thing I would agree is Chadli should start. He may be going from right, interchanging with Eriksen as match progresses.

 

Its long overdue that we give the wanderers a proper hiding!!!!

COYS !!!!