EPL 2016/17: 5 reasons why Tottenham Hotspur will defeat Arsenal in the North London derby

Modified Apr 30, 2017 10:59 GMT

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF TWO IMAGES - Image numbers (L) 635481924 and 664948828) In this composite image a comparision has been made between Mauricio Pochettino,Manager of Tottenham Hotspur (L) and Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal meet in a Premier League match at White Hart Lane on April 30, 2017 in London,England. ***LEFT IMAGE*** GENT, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 15: Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach / Manager, Mauricio Pochettino looks on during the Tottenham Hotspur Training Session held at the Ghelamco Arena stadium on February 15, 2017 in Gent, Belgium. KAA Gent will play Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League match on the February 16, 2017. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on April 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images,) — Super Sunday will decide if North London is white or red!

#2. Spurs have a miserly defence that can withstand a relatively patchy Arsenal

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur holds off Andros Townsend during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on April 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — The Lilywhites backline is almost impenetrable and Jan Vertonghen has been the mainstay

The Lilywhites have conceded just 22 goals across the 33 league fixtures played this season, turning into the meanest and one of the most impressive defensively organised units in the Premier League.

Opposition teams have scored a paltry 8 goals at the White Hart Lane over 17 fixtures that Spurs have played at home in 2016/17. Of these 17 games, 11 have ended with a clean sheet for the hosts, i.e. 65% of the time.

The Gunners will have a tough nut to crack when they encounter the disciplined Spurs backline; also considering the visitors’ possession-based style of play, they are likely to be vulnerable to breezy counterattacks courtesy of a very able Lilywhites side.

Additionally, despite a recovery in form, the Gunners have lost 4 of their last 5 away games with the saving grace coming most recently against Middlesbrough. The more shocking aspect is that the visitors have conceded 13 goals during this five-game run and scored only 5 which included a no-show against Crystal Palace.

That should be reasonable cause for concern for Arsene Wenger against the league’s best defence at this stage of the season.

Edited by Staff Editor