Arsenal will need to be at their very best to beat Tottenham this weekend as The Gunners must pick up the three points this weekend.
Central to how well Arsenal do this weekend will be the performance of summer signing and star midfielder, Lucas Torreira.
Crucially for Spurs too, they have to win the midfield battle to halt Arsenal going forward, and without Victor Wanyama, Eric Dier must step up.
Lucas Torreira
Ever since Gilberto Silva left the club, Arsenal have lacked a midfielder to sit in front of the defence and break up attacks.
So many times have teams been able to burst through Arsenal’s weak and timid midfield. We all know that under Wenger, almost every player was comfortable with the ball but none had any steel or strength in the side.
Following an impressive World Cup campaign with Uruguay, Arsenal signed Torreira for £26.4 million which now looks like an incredibly shrewd piece of business and has finally given Arsenal some spine in midfield.
It took him a few games to get into the side this season but ever since Emery has put him into the first-team, he’s been a star for the side and could go on to be one of the best signings of the summer.
TT Grade: A-
Victor Wanyama
Signed for just £11 million from Southampton in 2016, Wanyama made a massive impact on the side and made 36 appearances in the league for Pochettino.
Since then, Wanyama has struggled to maintain fitness and as a result of injuries, he only made 18 appearances last season and has only made four this season.
Without him, Pochettino has been forced to play the terrible Eric Dier in the midfield and he just can’t match Wanyama’s physicality.
He may not have the mobility of Torreira but Wanyama’s strength is incredible and at the moment, he’s been a huge loss.
TT Grade: B
The Verdict
Wanyama is solid midfielder and one that when fit, sets the tone for Pochettino’s dominant style of play. Where he does lack however, is with the ball and crucially, his anticipation of the game.
Torreira, is exceptional at reading the game and with him in midfield, Arsenal finally have someone that can shut down opposition attacks – he wins this one.
