‘Superior defensively’: Mark Lawrenson backs Tottenham to see off Arsenal

Add as preferred source on Google

BBC pundit and former Liverpool defender, Mark Lawrenson, believes Tottenham will have too much for Arsenal in this weekend’s North London Derby.

The Gunners travel across to meet their local rivals, who are flying high under Jose Mourinho in the Premier League.

Arsenal won comfortably in midweek against Rapid Vienna, while Spurs struggled to a 3-3 draw in LASK without skipper Harry Kane, who is expected to be fit for this weekend.

And Lawrenson, making his usual predictions for the BBC, believes Spurs will have too much for the Gunners in all areas of the pitch.

“Tottenham are a better side than Arsenal, a more reliable side and they are superior defensively which is in large part down to the manager and his philosophy. Jose Mourinho’s forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have also been the best two in the league bar anybody, and will give the Gunners defence a tough time assuming Kane is fit.

“Arsenal don’t seem to have leaders at the moment – so when the going gets tough they don’t going. In attack, since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed his contract… has he been away? It’s just that one goal since the start of November.”

Mikel Arteta will have some big calls to make for his first XI given the performance of some of his players against Vienna.

Alexandre Lacazette looked at home in a deeper role, while Eddie Nketiah was once agin impressive leading the line.

Lawrenson is right here, Spurs are better but you never know – TBR View

The biggest worry for Arsenal is how they handle the threat of Kane and Son in this game. The Gunners aren’t scoring many goals so to have any chance, they need to shackle the in-form pair.

But that is easier said than done and it could be a long afternoon for Arsenal if they get off to a bad start. Expect Mourinho to send his players out to make a fast start and look to put this NLD to bed early.