Tottenham vs Arsenal PL 2021/22 | Team News, Injuries & Suspensions

Spurs v Arsenal, Spurs vs Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

We bring the team news for the most-awaited crucial North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur that takes place on Thursday night. This match will almost decide the fate of the 2 clubs regarding Champions League football for next season. The Gunners are four points ahead of their rivals and it is a must-win for Tottenham.

Chelsea have lifted their Champions League football hopes for next season with a 3-0 win over Leeds United.

The Gunners with their depleted squad, unavailability of players due to international commitments in the Africa Cup of Nations and Covid 19 scare looked nowhere near the top four by the end of January. But a purple patch has ensured the postponed derby has significant relevance.

In the reverse fixture, Spurs under Nuno Espirito Santo lost 3-1 to Arsenal at Emirates. However, Spurs have had success in recent years at home, unbeaten in seven and will be looking to make it eight hopefully to keep their Champions League dreams alive.

Antonio Conte has built a solid side with the help of the January transfer window and has brought some consistency and confidence to the Spurs camp. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min combo have got their mojo back on. Harry Kane has 11 goals in 16 games against the Gunners which will make him the target man.

They had a few poor results in April but got back to winning ways against Leicester and drew away at Liverpool in Anfield. The result at Anfield ensured a Europa League spot but chairman Daniel Levy will expect more from his eccentric manager.

Conte is concerned at the fact that his side have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League matches at home and the Italian does not have a good record against Arsenal, posting just one win from eight on previous occasions.

Antonio Conte and Arteta, Spurs, Arsenal, team news — Image obtained via Mirror

As for Arsenal, the three-game losing run over the Easter period ended their European dreams temporarily, but responding with consecutive wins over Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham United and Leeds United leaves the Gunners’ top-four hopes in their own hands heading into the final games.

Arsenal extended their lead over Tottenham by four points with a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Leeds United. The Gunners had two goals from former Leeds player Eddie Nketiah and a red card for Luke Ayling to aid them. Even if Arteta’s side slump to defeat, they will still be in pole position with games against Newcastle United and Everton.

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Form:

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Arsenal Premier League Form:

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Injury List:

Tottenham will be without long term absentees like Sergi Reguilon, Japhet Tanganga, Oliver Skipp and Matt Doherty. Ryan Sessegnon and Emerson Royal are providing backup for the full-back positions at present with Ben Davies slotting in at left centre-back.

Ben White has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but might be available for the North London derby. He might not play the full ninety minutes and will be slowly integrated into the squad like Takehiro Tomiyasu. There were fears of an injury to Bukayo Saka over the weekend but seems to have made a quick recovery ahead of the derby.

Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney will be watching from the reserves bench nursing their long term injuries. Rob Holding who has been giving man of the match performances in the last two games might be replaced by Ben White, especially if Cedric plays on the right against Son; any pace advantage Arsenal can muster in the centre-back position will be beneficial.

Arsenal Possible Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Aaron Ramsdale (GK); Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB), Ben White (CB), Gabriel (CB), Nuno Tavares (LB); Granit Xhaka (CDM), Mohamed Elneny (CDM); Bukayo Saka (RW), Martin Ødegaard (CAM), Emile Smith Rowe (LW); Eddie Nketiah (ST)

Predicted Score

Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Arsenal: Goals from Harry Kane and Son for Tottenham, Nketiah to score his third goal in the last two games and maybe a Saka penalty to end the match in a stalemate.

At this point of the season, the points matter more than the performance. Arsenal seem to still lack the cutting edge and ability to finish off games as seen against 10-man Leeds. Nketiah’s form upfront will be a boost to Arteta’s hopes of an unexpected win.

Although pundit and former United player Gary Neville is backing Tottenham to take all three points. He said:

“I think it will be a really tasty game on Thursday night, not just because of the fact it’s a North London derby and they’re playing for Champions League places. But the way in which this game was called off earlier in the year – even I wasn’t too happy with that!

Look, it’s Arsenal’s to lose but Tottenham on Thursday night, that will be hard for Arsenal. If they come out of there with a draw or a victory they’ll have done very well with the feeling that will be in that stadium against them.

“It’s a big game, I’m looking forward to it. I fancy Tottenham on Thursday night. I thought it was a really good performance because Liverpool are one of the very, very best.”

Tottenham come into the game buoyed by their stellar showing against Liverpool and should expose the Gunners’ recent defensive lapses. But the Spurs defence is also weakened and will concede a few goals, especially with the high-pressure scenario of the derby. A point would be a good result for Arsenal as it will take them an inch closer to securing a top-four spot.

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