Arsenal v Spurs preview
Thomas Frank did not try to shy away from the importance of tomorrow’s North London Derby, even if his Tottenham side go in as huge underdogs.
Spurs’ record at their neighbor’s Patch has been woeful – just one win in their last 32 visits – and Arsenal are a formidable force this season.
But Frank was happy to talk about the size of the event.
He said: “This is a real thing. It’s very real.
“It’s true, before I joined the club, I knew about the North London Derby but when you’re in it, you feel it and you feel it’s important.
“You get that from the fans, the staff, the players, the people who have been working here for years. This is a big thing.
“I always say the next game is the most important but I know very well that there are two games a year that are the most important – and this is the first of them.
“We are ready, we have given up on passing and we will do everything possible to win.”
Spurs have won just one of their last four Premier League games but Frank sounded an optimistic note when discussing his chances at the club.
“I have a lot of confidence in the team going into this game on Sunday,” he added.
“It’s a big respect against a good team, right now – and we don’t like it – but Arsenal are far above the table.
“They’ve been good for a few years but we have to change that. It’s one game on Sunday, one game where I’m sure we’ll be very competitive.”
Arsenal hold a four-point lead over Manchester City heading into the week and my manager Mikel Arteta knows that this special occasion will require a special performance from his players.
“It’s about bringing it to the game and that’s a high point,” he said.
“When you have everyone playing with that desire and feeling with the team in every game, it makes a difference.
“We have the same rights as our fans have had at the Emirates.
“It’s a game that requires something spiritual. You can’t be too fired up but the game demands that in every action you have to be in it.
“We found a good balance [in past derbies]sometimes we deserved to win, sometimes we were lucky to win, that’s worth saying. We need to play a good game on Sunday. “
Arsenal’s winning streak in all competitions ended before the international break when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland.
Arsenal v Spurs team news
Arsenal will be without key defender Gabriel who has been ruled out for several weeks.
Arteta was tight-lipped when asked about the fitness of Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Kabriel Jesus, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard.
Spurs will have Pare Matar Sar, Lucas Bergvall, Randal Kolo Muni and Mohammed Kudus available.
Ben Davies, Radu Drausin and Archie Gray are not ready yet and Porinic has suffered some form of incompetence.
Arsenal v spurs predicted line up
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Salba, Mosquera, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Trossard
Spurs: Vavirio; Porro, Romero, Van de VEN, sincence; Palhinha, SARR; Kudus, Simon, Odobert; RicharLison
How to watch arsenal v spurs
Arsenal Versus Spurs kicks off tomorrow at 4.30PM time. Pay-per-view on Sky Sports’ Soccer Sunday.
It is also available to broadcast over the air.
