Premier League 2018/19: 3 battles that could shape the North London Derby

#2. Aubameyang and Lacazette vs Spurs’ Centre Backs

Aubameyang and Lacazette enjoy each other's company, on and off the pitch

Since signing for the Gunners in January, Aubameyang has lived up to his reputation of being a reliable goal poacher. In the current season, he sits atop the scoring charts, with 8 goals. Despite the Gabonese’s red-hot form, Arsenal would be sweating over the fitness of his partner-in-crime, Lacazette.

After his return from a knee injury at the back end of April, Lacazette has formed a brilliant partnership on the pitch with Aubameyang. The duo enjoys playing together and their camaraderie is clearly on display in games. In addition, the Frenchman acts as the perfect foil for Aubameyang, courtesy the former’s excellent hold-up play and vision.

If the two start for the Gunners, the Spurs centre-backs are going to have their hands full trying to contain them.

The prospect of facing the devastating duo above is not an easy task. Thus, Spurs would’ve been delighted with the return to fitness of their defensive rock, Vertonghen. The Belgian, along with his countryman, Alderweireld forms a solid partnership at the heart of the defence.

However, the only weakness they seem to possess is against pace. With Aubameyang and Lacazette possessing that attribute in abundance, one can expect them to give Spurs’ defensive partnership a headache.

Spurs, on the other hand, would want to make the game as physical as possible and defend deep in order to minimise the Gunners’ pace threat. Additionally, they would try to reduce the space in between the lines, the space Lacazette likes to roam into.

On Sunday afternoon, one of the meanest defences in the land would go up against one of the most exciting strike partnerships in the country. It makes for an intriguing watch and unsurprisingly ranks as a battle to look out for.