Match Threads Spurs vs Arsenal

BH_spurs said:

Goodison park tonight showing us the type of noise and hostility we need to bring Sunday and most importantly .. belief ! Even if we do go a goal down can’t allow the stadium to turn toxic.

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SUIYHA said:

They've only conceded in one of out their last six league games, whereas we've only kept one clean sheet in 15. On paper it doesn't look good for us, but here's my tactical twopence as to how we can get a result.

We've scored pretty much the same number of goals as them from open play this season. Where they've been much stronger than us (both offensively and defensively) is on set pieces. They play a high pressing, aggressive style that overloads the opposition - and so many of their big wins this season have come from taking the lead through a set-piece or by pressuring their opponent into making a mistake, then putting the chokehold on by continuing to press and overload while their opponent has to come out and try to score - leaving gaps and vulnerabilities that Arsenal exploit. We are prone to both of these things, there's a good chance we give the ball away carelessly to their press - if they take the lead then there's a good chance the floodgates open, particularly if it's in the second half.

On the flipside to this, they have to win. They can't afford to draw the game so they will have to come out and play. And when they do that, they are vulnerable on the break when they've pushed men forward - good as their defence has been this season. Ange won't play a Conte style counter-attacking game, but we do need to think about how we can stay compact, hold onto the ball, avoid giving it away in dangerous areas, drag them out of position and then exploit them when we do win it back ourselves. We also know that they are prone to losing their heads if things aren't going well, and given the number of games they've been playing recently and with such a intense style, there's a good chance they start to tire towards the end of the game. So here's the plan:

1. Bentancur and Kulusevksi have to start - think back to the NLD win two years ago. Bentancur makes us tick, he provides the easy pass and outlet to defenders that are being harassed by the high press, he shields the ball well himself, he spots gaps to transition defence into attack when we're under pressure. And Kulu, whilst in crap form these last few months, holds the ball up better than anyone in our attack. His size and strength means that when he runs with the ball, he may not skin loads of players and beat them for pace but he does drag opponents out of position and leave gaps for particularly when against teams that want to press.

2. VdV at LB, Dragusin at CB - With no Udogie we've got a decision to make, but this gives us extra height at set-pieces and our fastest, strongest defender around to deny Saka space. Will be a baptism of fire for Dragusin but if he can't handle it then we should never have signed him.

3. We need a gameplan for Odegaard. So much of what they do goes through him - if he's given time and space on the ball we're in big trouble. Part of me wonders if we should start Hojbjerg for that reason to sit on him, but whether it's him or Sarr, they've got to make sure not to leave him unguarded. I think expecting Bissouma to man-mark him would be a disaster.

4. We have to play out from the back. Villa and Bayern did this so well against them and it's Ange's style. They will press high, but if we play well using the players I've mentioned above, we can start to exploit them when they push men up the pitch. If we start trying to play long balls up the field they'll destroy our forwards and continue to dominate in our half.

5. Richarlison should start. I can't think of many games he's had much of an impact from the bench, but if he harasses them in the first half, gets in their faces, winds them up and starts to wear them down, the game becomes ideal for Johnson/Werner to come off the bench to run against tired legs. The other option if we're feeling leftfield is to start Kulusevski in the middle as a false 9 if we are to keep Johnson's pace on from the beginning, but that's completely untested and could be a disaster.


Am hoping Ange has used the two weeks without playing to come up with some new tactical suckerpunch, but I doubt it. I don't really see the "get it wide to the winger and flash it across the box" working too well in this game. We need certain players to massively step up, this one is so important for the fans.

First goal will be absolutely massive.

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Mr Pink said:

Absolutely.

Atmosphere affects both teams. Makes them cagey and lifts us.

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Mr Pink said:

The thing is we havent started with a fast tempo since the home against Chelsea.

We absolutely have to start fast here, to rattle them and to build our confidence in the game.

I really hope Agne recognises this, as he has dismissed questions about our poor first half displays.

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kelloggs said:

I'll admit it, I'm not watching. I know that's an awful admission to make but I've just lost my belief for this season and think we need the close season for Ange to address the squad issues. I get so little time through the week, I don't want to invest one of my days off and be left depressed by watching it. Any other game I'd be watching, but not this one. It just hits differently. I hope my punishment is that I miss a remarkable derby day renaissance!!

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kelloggs said:

I'll admit it, I'm not watching. I know that's an awful admission to make but I've just lost my belief for this season and think we need the close season for Ange to address the squad issues. I get so little time through the week, I don't want to invest one of my days off and be left depressed by watching it. Any other game I'd be watching, but not this one. It just hits differently. I hope my punishment is that I miss a remarkable derby day renaissance!!

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cozzo said:

The fans will play a part in this one

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BPR_U16 said:

We have to make the atmosphere as toxic as it was 2 years ago when they capitulated - was one of the best atmospheres at the new ground.

We shouldn't need the trumpet to get us going - need to be at it way before that.

The VT build up plays a part but the crowd, especially The Wall, is the most important element here - and can't wait to do my part!

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kelloggs said:

I'll admit it, I'm not watching. I know that's an awful admission to make but I've just lost my belief for this season and think we need the close season for Ange to address the squad issues. I get so little time through the week, I don't want to invest one of my days off and be left depressed by watching it. Any other game I'd be watching, but not this one. It just hits differently. I hope my punishment is that I miss a remarkable derby day renaissance!!

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YIDfromtheLANE said:

That night i reckon 50% of the stadium had been out on the piss all day. Including myself. Boozers were packed at 3pm for an 8pm kick off.
Therefore, Levy needs to open the stadium on Sunday about 9am and let the beer flow. First 3 beers are free .

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Kirito said:

Would you rather…

Smash Arsenal 4-0, ending their season and leaving Arteta crying on the pitch at full time but we still finish 5th

or

We lose against Arsenal, they go on to win the title but we win the rest of our remaining games and sneak 4th?

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Kirito said:

Would you rather…

Smash Arsenal 4-0, ending their season and leaving Arteta crying on the pitch at full time but we still finish 5th

or

We lose against Arsenal, they go on to win the title but we win the rest of our remaining games and sneak 4th?

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