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Tottenham vs. Arsenal positional breakdown: Who has the edge?

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Referee Martin Atkinson shows a yellow card to Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Referee Martin Atkinson shows a yellow card to Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Davies (L) and Kevin Wimmer (R) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate their 1-0 win after the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Ben Davies (L) and Kevin Wimmer (R) of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate their 1-0 win after the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /

Kevin Wimmer vs. Gabriel Paulista

The left centre back position is another spot where Arsenal figures to suffer a bit due to injury. Gabriel is the expected starter in place of Laurent Koscielny, who suffered an injury in Arsenal’s loss to Swansea.

While Koscielny has been the Gunners’ best centre back on the season, Gabriel has performed really well too. I don’t believe they will see as big of a drop off in this spot as they do in missing out on Cech. In truth, Gabriel may have started in this match in partnership with Koscielny if the Frenchman were fit.

The one weakness the Brazilian may have when it come to this match is that he can be hot-headed. It wouldn’t be a complete shock to see him lose his cool out on the pitch and put his team at a disadvantage. Tottenham may even try to goad him into a foolish foul.

Tottenham has their own injury problems at the left centre back position though. Kevin Wimmer has performed adequately in relief of the injured Jan Vertonghen, but he struggled a bit in Spurs’ loss to West Ham. The less he’s noticed out on the pitch Saturday the better it will be for the home side.

Advantage: Arsenal

Next: Right centre back

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