Five Reasons Why Arsenal Will Win The North London Derby

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Tottenham Hotspur's Vincent Janssen in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at White Hart Lane on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer - CameraSport via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Tottenham Hotspur’s Vincent Janssen in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at White Hart Lane on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Craig Mercer – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Tottenham goal-scoring issues

With Harry Kane out of the line-up, Tottenham have had great difficulty scoring goals with any regularity. Three goals in their last six matches across all competitions has been at the heart of their dip in form.

Vincent Janssen and Son Heung-Min have each seen time at the top of the Spurs formation, but the club have not seen the production that is needed for success in the Premier League. Along with Lamela out of the squad, Tottenham are suffering from not being able to count on their creative players to get forward and find space in the opposing half.

Arsenal’s midfield and defence, playing as well as they have recently, will be able to control the tempo of the match and will likely dominate possession.

The injuries to Kane and Alderweireld have set up a difficult tactical approach for Pochettino and his squad. Moving Eric Dier to central defence takes away a strong midfield presence, while Kane’s absence takes away the strength of being able to stretch the opposing side at the other end of the formation.

Tottenham are essentially stuck with a bunched and crowded midfield that struggles to shut down the opposition and is left dropping too deep to create quality scoring chances. Lamela and Dembele now out also will only exacerbate this issue.

An early strike could see the Gunners run out to a dominant victory on Sunday afternoon.