Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have shared their thoughts on Sunday’s North London Derby with iconic former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.
Tottenham Hotspur will host their neighbours Arsenal in a Premier League clash this weekend.
Ian Wright is worried about Arsenal heading into this fixture, and for good reason. Mikel Arteta is currently being confronted by a number of unwelcome problems.
With Declan Rice suspended, and Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino both injured, Arteta’s midfield unit is significantly depleted. Arsenal have alternative midfield options, but they will certainly be weakened in the middle of the park.
The manager’s options at the back have also been reduced. Riccardo Calafiori picked up a knock whilst on international duty, and Takehiro Tomiyasu remains sidelined. However, Jurrien Timber is the obvious pick to start at left-back, and the Dutchman will be tasked with shifting infield to support the midfield.
- READ MORE: What is the North London Derby? Everything you need to know about the Arsenal and Tottenham rivalry
Gary Neville and Paul Scholes discuss Tottenham vs Arsenal
Gary Neville and Wright were recently joined on the Stick to Football podcast by Manchester United icon Paul Scholes.
When it came to discussing the upcoming North London Derby, Neville told Wright: “You’re too emotional about this. You’re too emotional already. You’ll be crying!”
When Scholes was then asked to predict the outcome of this grudge match, he said simply: “2-1, Tottenham.”
Of course, Wright will be desperately hoping that his former side can pull off a positive result.
The truth is, though, that the Gunners will be up against it this weekend. The absences of Rice and Odegaard are a huge blow, as they both play such an important role in Arteta’s team.
Why Arsenal will suffer without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard
Without Rice, Arsenal will lack steel and defensive security in the middle of the park. The former West Ham United star is an expert at breaking up opposition moves, and can drive forward with the ball, transitioning his side from a defensive phase into an attacking one.
Meanwhile, Odegaard knits things together in the final third. He is the Gunners’ creator-in-chief, and is so often the one responsible for unlocking opposition defences.
On top of that, the Norwegian playmaker is the club captain, and leads by example on the pitch, organising and orchestrating the press when the Gunners aren’t in possession. Odegaard has been called a perfect captain for this reason, and his guidance on the field will be missed.
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