Arsenal And Tottenham Prepare For Crucial North London Derby As Havertz Faces Goal-Scoring Challenges

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As Arsenal and Tottenham prepare for their second North London derby of the season, both teams are facing challenges. Arsenal have been consistent in the Premier League but recent cup exits have raised concerns about a fifth consecutive trophyless season. Meanwhile, Tottenham's league form has been poor, with only one win in their last eight matches, placing them 12th in the table.

Arsenal remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season. According to Opta's simulations, they have a 64.7% chance of winning against Tottenham. Historically, Arsenal have dominated this fixture at home, winning six of their last eight league encounters with Spurs. They aim to achieve a third consecutive victory over Tottenham for the first time since 1989.

Tottenham's away record against Arsenal is concerning. They have only managed one win in their last 31 visits to Arsenal in the Premier League. Their last victory at the Emirates was back in November 2010. This history adds pressure on Tottenham as they head into this crucial match.

Despite having the best defensive record this season, Arsenal struggle offensively. Their expected goals (xG) per game has dropped compared to previous seasons. Injuries to key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have not helped. In recent cup games against Newcastle and Manchester United, Arsenal created many chances but failed to convert them.

Kai Havertz has faced criticism for missing several opportunities recently. In two cup matches, he had nine shots from inside the box but failed to score significantly. Despite scoring seven league goals this season, his conversion rate raises questions about his ability to lead Arsenal's attack effectively.

Tottenham's Tactical Dilemma

Ange Postecoglou has faced criticism for sticking rigidly to his tactics despite poor results. Tottenham have only secured five points from their last eight league games, with a solitary win against Southampton during this period. However, a recent EFL Cup win over Liverpool showed some tactical flexibility.

In that match, Spurs had less possession than usual and relied more on long balls, which paid off with a goal from Lucas Bergvall after a pass from Pedro Porro. This approach might be beneficial against Arsenal given Spurs' defensive injuries and error-prone performances this season.

Key Players to Watch

For Arsenal, Martin Odegaard will be eager to make an impact after missing a penalty against Manchester United recently. He remains one of Arsenal's top chance creators despite limited appearances due to injury.

Tottenham will look towards Son Heung-min who has an impressive record in North London derbies with seven goals against Arsenal. Son also leads in assists following ball carries this season and is close to becoming Spurs' all-time assist leader in the Premier League.

This derby promises high stakes with both teams needing a win for different reasons: Arsenal aiming for consistency and Tottenham seeking improvement under Postecoglou’s management.