Former Arsenal man explains why Tottenham will have an upper hand in the NLD
09/13/2024 04:00 AM
Arsenal legend Paul Merson feels Tottenham will have the upper hand in the derby with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard unavailable.
Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham secured a fifth-placed finish last season. After reinforcing their squad in the summer, they are expected to push for a top-four spot this time out. But, they have had a tricky start to the new season with just four points in their first three league outings.
They suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United before the international break and will now look to return to winning ways when they square up against arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday. Mikel Arteta's team are one of the favourites for the league title and Spurs will find it difficult to get past them. But, Paul Merson believes his former club will find it difficult to get going against Tottenham without star midfielders Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.
In his latest column for Sky Sports, the former Gunners striker wrote: "Rice takes the ball up the pitch and Odegaard makes things happen in the final third. I don't think there's anybody that can replace Odegaard. He's a very, very special player and would be the first name on the teamsheet. Arsenal need him in the big moments to pick the right pass.
"I'm trying to pick a midfield three and I can't. They might be good on the ball, but they're not going to get it back when Tottenham have it. That's the worry for me. Jorginho likes to sit there and I don't think Thomas Partey can go and play as a No 8."
Merson feels Arsenal will struggle to pick a midfield three with Rice and Odegaard unavailable for selection. The former West Ham star is suspended following a controversial sending-off against Brighton last time out while the Arsenal skipper picked up an ankle injury during the international break which could see him sit on the sidelines for a long while.
Without Rice, the Gunners won't have someone who can carry the ball into the opposition half and without the former Real Madrid star they will lack creativity in the final third of the pitch. While the backup options at Arsenal do offer a lot on the ball, they will find it difficult to reclaim possession which could see Tottenham dominate the proceedings.
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