Tottenham Show They're Ready for Derby vs. Arsenal in Europa League Win

Tottenham Show They're Ready for Derby vs. Arsenal in Europa League Win

Tottenham Show They're Ready for Derby vs. Arsenal in Europa League Win

Tottenham are back on top of their Europa
League group after a richly deserved 2-1 win
over Anderlecht at White Hart Lane.
Following the 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City,
Spurs endured 29 days without a victory.
After three consecutive victories, the
confidence is now palpable.
Wins over three underwhelming sides, 5-1 vs.
Bournemouth, 3-1 vs. Aston Villa and tonight's
win against Anderlecht, are not enough to
conclude that Spurs are now the finished
article. They are, however, beginning to
resemble a top-class side and are ready to be
tested by their archrivals in Sunday's North
London derby.
The latest victory in Spurs' fine run of form
showcased all the qualities of the team that
Mauricio Pochettino has built.
At the back, the Belgian central-defensive
pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld
continue to blossom. They are showing signs
that they can form Spurs' finest Premier League
defence.
Anderlecht did occasionally penetrate at White
Hart Lane, but the former Ajax teammates
produced a number of fine moments to add to
their burgeoning highlights reel.
The rock-solid combination of Eric Dier and both
Dele Alli and Ryan Mason fortified the midfield
and dominated possession. Ahead of the young
English trio, Pochettino deploys a pair of skilful,
creative attackers supplying a steady stream of
attacking chances.
Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen have been
transformed in Pochettino's 18 months in
charge.
Before his arrival Lamela largely personified the
frustrating preference of style over substance
that has defined Tottenham for decades. He is
now leaving a substantive mark on every game
he plays and, much like his team, still produces
style in abundance.
Eriksen was a player with little interest in the
defensive side of the game but is now a fine
exponent of aggressive pressing and regularly
wins possession in dangerous areas.
At the tip of the spear is Harry Kane. Kane is
now in rich scoring form, having hit five goals in
the last three matches.
Tottenham's lineup is now strong enough to
take on the best of the Premier League.
That assertion will be put to a severe test when
they take the short trip to face Arsenal at the
Emirates.
Spurs' eternal rivals are tied at the top of the
league and are the only team in England's top
division in better form. Arsenal have won five
straight and conceded only one goal in their last
four Premier League fixtures while scoring 11 in
that time.
Of course, the Gunners were embarrassed in
their own European fixture this week when
Bayern Munich put five goals past them at the
Allianz Arena.
The absence of 10 first-team players through
injury only complicates things for Spurs'
opposition. Their confidence will be fragile in
the derby, and an early goal is likely to prove
crucial.
The circumstances around this derby give
Pochettino a selection dilemma.
While the team largely selects itself, the
Argentinian must decide which central
midfielder will partner Dier and who will start as
the No. 10.
Heung-Min Son and Mason are now fit and in
consideration, along with the 11 that started
against Villa. Pochettino could take a
conservative approach, retaining Mousa
Dembele alongside Dier and including Mason at
the expense of Alli. This would likely allow
Spurs to match Arsenal in midfield and starve
them of chances.
They are lacking pace in the absence of Hector
Bellerin, Theo Walcott , Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
and Danny Welbeck reducing their potential
counter-attacking threat.
Alternatively, Pochettino could install Son and
Alli in a bold attempt attempt to attack from the
off.
Spurs would attempt to attack through Arsenal's
middle and likely expose Dier's major flaw, his
passing. He would be required to take a more
direct playmaking role with the mobile Alli likely
to break forward often.
Ultimately, it would constitute an unnecessary
gamble.
Spurs are ready to beat Arsenal at the Emirates,
but it will not be an easy task. The depleted
Gunners retain significant quality and should not
be taken lightly.
In beating Anderlecht, Spurs showed their great
skill and the resilience that has become a
trademark of Pochettino's teams.
The skill and flair of Alli, Lamela and Eriksen are
sufficient to expose the best defences and give
Kane the chance to score.
It's time for Tottenham to take another step
forward.