Arsenal set for Spurs test as Arteta defends squad
Column argues Arteta merits a new long-term deal even without the title, citing squad stability and progress despite dropped points at Wolves before the North London derby.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s lack of Arsenal minutes risks his England World Cup spot, with Nico O’Reilly impressing and Hall scoring. January loan rejection and arrivals of Hincapie and Zubimendi cut his chances.
Tottenham vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports at 16:30 GMT. Spurs debut Igor Tudor faces top-of-table Arsenal, who have wobbled after a draw with Wolves.
Atletico set an August deadline to sell Julian Alvarez. Price could near £107m. Alvarez prefers Barcelona, but London is next choice, with Arsenal and Chelsea receiving weekly updates ahead of a summer move.
Arteta warns players to handle ‘noise and bullets’ in title race, denies ‘bottlers’ tag and hints Odegaard could return for Spurs after injury-hit spell.
Darren Fletcher tips a Spurs ‘new-manager bounce’ under Igor Tudor to ‘find a result’ against Arsenal, saying denying Arsenal’s title push could reshape Spurs’ poor season.
Predicted Arsenal XI for Spurs: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard. Odegaard, Havertz in contention, Saka and Trossard fit.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, now Luton boss, was dragged away after confronting fans following a 1-1 draw with Burton. Chants of ‘you are embarrassing’ followed a stoppage-time equaliser.
Rice says Saka told him ‘you can’t lose derbies here to Spurs’. Eze discusses nerves and mental strain at Arsenal, targeting intensity before the north London derby.
Analysis says Arsenal lack a decisive attacking leader. Saka, Odegaard, Eze and Gyokeres have inconsistent outputs, with Raya’s 13 clean sheets a contrast. A 2-2 at Wolves underlined the issue in title race.
O’Reilly’s brace gives Man City a 2-1 win over Newcastle, trimming Arsenal’s lead to two points. Guardiola urges focus on Leeds, calling the victory ‘massive’ amid title battle.
Ben White could be sold, opening a move for Sporting right-back Ivan Fresneda, long tracked by Arsenal. Man City are strong rivals. Fee seen reasonable as Fresneda nears last two years of his deal.
Inter overtake Arsenal for most corner goals in Europe, 15 to 14. With Saka and Rice on corners, Jover’s set-piece unit eye Spurs’ weakness to reclaim top spot after record early-season returns.
Ex-Arsenal and Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor reiterates he ‘hates’ Arsenal over his 2009 exit, recalling his Etihad celebration and disputes with Arsene Wenger.
