EPL 2018-19: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match preview and prediction
Arsenal will be hosting their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur tonight at the Emirates Stadium for their first Premier League encounter of the season. Tottenham, even to Emery's admittance, have been the better side, with 10 wins in their 13 matches so far, and are sitting third on the league table. There are three points separating the two teams as they gear up for tonight.
Spurs have quite a poor record at the Emirates, winning just one out of their last 25 Premier League matches at the stadium. Tottenham have lost more points (37) from winning positions to Arsenal, than any side have against another side in the Premier League era. No other EPL team has scored more second-half goals this season than Emery's Arsenal.
Lacazette has reportedly returned to training after his injury and might find a place in the squad. Nacho Monreal (hamstring) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) remain absent. Emery will most likely go for a 4-2-3-1 formation to make full use of the brilliant attacking players that he has. Among the Gunners, Aubameyang has the highest number of goals this term - eight.
Tottenham's Mousa Dembele, Davinson Sanchez, and Victor Wanyama are yet to return from their injuries. Spurs have been spectacular of late, even ending Chelsea's Premier League winning streak last week. 4-1-2-2-1 is a formation Pochettino is most likely to use, with Kane leading the attack from the front. Kane is the highest scorer among Pochettino's men, having netted in seven goals as of now.
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Papastathopoulos, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Iwobi, Oil, Aubameyang, Lacazette. Tottenham: Lloris, Rose, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Aurier, Dier, Eriksen, Sissoko, Alli, Son, Kane. The match is scheduled to start at 7:35 PM IST and can be viewed on Star Sports Select 1 or Star Sports Select HD. Fans can also live stream the match on Hotstar.
The match is going to be a very close-knit contest, with both teams having a similar approach to the game. However, considering the fact that Arsenal have never been up to the mark in the first half season if Tottenham can capitalize and net one or two goals in at the early stages, they can put Emery's men under pressure.
