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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 - JANUARY 24: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on as Per Mertesacker of Arsenal walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on as Per Mertesacker of Arsenal walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Toby Alderweireld vs. Per Mertesacker

As I mentioned previously, I think Mertesacker might have been the one to start on the bench if Koscielny were fit. As it stands, he will be tasked with stopping Harry Kane and the Tottenham attack.

Mertesacker is an experienced, solid centre back, but he can be exploited with real pace. He has shown a propensity to get beaten with balls in behind this year, and Tottenham will certainly try to take advantage of his lack of foot speed. He is very solid in the air and defending set pieces, but he can be caught out on the break.

On the other side, Alderweireld has been one of Tottenham’s best players all season long. He’s rarely put a foot wrong in defense and has the added benefit of being an excellent distributor of the ball from the back. He’s played even better football since his partner Vertonghen went out injured.

I don’t see any reason why his form will dip at all this weekend. Tottenham enjoy a significant advantage in this match-up. Mertesacker isn’t a bad player, but he isn’t in Alderweireld’s class at this point in his career.

Advantage: Tottenham

Next: Right back

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