Ahead of the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal, Sport360 examines some of the important talking points surrounding this weekend’s game.
With both sides still in the title hunt, it promises to be the most important clash between the two sides in years—with Spurs proving to be a genuine title contender for the first time in the Premier League era.
What, then, are the key issues surrounding the game?
Olivier Giroud has started Arsenal’s last three consecutive defeats but the Frenchman now has no goals in 10 games and Arsene Wenger must surely be considering alternatives. The problem is none of Giroud’s rivals are inspiring much faith.
Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez have each scored just once this year while Danny Welbeck has only recently returned from injury and is preferred by Wenger out wide. It leaves the Frenchman with a dilemma ahead of his side’s biggest game of the season.
17 - Arsenal have hit the woodwork more than any other team in the Premier League this season. Clang.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 3, 2016
David Ospina enjoyed an extended run in the Arsenal first team last season but doubts remained about his consistency at the highest level. Now, with Petr Cech facing up to a month on the sidelines, the Colombian stopper will be thrown back into the spotlight again and Arsenal will need the 27-year-old to hit the ground running this weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino said targeting individual players would not be part of his plan but how Ospina, and his defence, react in the coming weeks could be crucial to the Gunners’ title hopes.
Kane long ago dispelled suspicions he could be a one-season wonder at White Hart Lane but the striker has been noticeably less perky of late, scoring only once from open play in his last eight appearances.
Perhaps the face mask he is wearing to protect a broken nose is causing discomfort or fatigue may be taking its toll after 45 matches for club and country since August. Either way, he has three goals in his last three north London derbies and Spurs could do with their top goalscorer extending that record on Saturday.
Predictions that a loss for Arsenal would end their title challenge seem exaggerated given, on paper at least, they have a kinder run-in than both Leicester and Tottenham. Gunners fans might also draw upon the 2012-13 season when Spurs won the north London derby in March to go seven points clear of their rivals but then faded as Arsenal stormed through to clinch fourth.
Defeat for Spurs would represent a second consecutive loss for the first time this season and would certainly set nerves jangling among the Tottenham faithful. A draw would be celebrated by Leicester.