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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 : Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06 : Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

Dele Alli vs. Francis Coquelin

Young Dele Alli has arguably been Tottenham’s most important player this season. Whether he’s lined up as a defensive midfielder or an attacking one, he influences the match on both ends. His flair and creativity have sparked Spurs all season long.

His Arsenal counterpart Coquelin has also been hugely important to his squad. While he isn’t nearly the attacking threat of his Tottenham counterpart, he is crucial to the Gunner defense. He provides his side a real steel in the midfield that is obviously missing when he’s on the bench.

You have to believe that Arsenal are going to need that sort of toughness in a big way Saturday. It will be a testy, physical match in the midfield and Coquelin will need to assert himself early and often. Alli isn’t one to hide from physical play either, there is some question as to whether or not he’ll be fully fit for the match though.

The questions regarding Alli’s fitness and the fact that his best position is as a more advanced midfielder, lead me to give the slight edge to Arsenal here. It would be a different matter if Alli was fully fit, but the questions about his availability for a full 90 minutes swing this match-up the way of the Gunners.

Advantage: Arsenal

Next: Right defensive midfielder

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