Calafiori ruled out of Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s PL derby
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur face off in the first North London Derby of the Premier League season on September 15th. While the Gunners are looking to continue their title charge, Spurs will be keen on bouncing back after the international break, prior to which they won just once in three attempts in the English top flight.
Ange Postecoglou has had a long time to do his homework and will be hoping that his men can put on a better show when they host Arsenal and has already received a boost in the shape of Riccardo Calafiori’s potential absence in Mikel Arteta’s side, according to Sky Sports.
The Italian international suffered a freak injury in their UEFA Nations League win over France and is doubtful for their clash versus Israel. It has emerged that his participation in Arsenal’s meeting with Tottenham is now doubtful, on which Postecoglou could capitalise from a tactical standpoint.
With Declan Rice already missing, Jurrien Timber could drop into playing as the left-back as opposed to an initial possibility of him playing next to Thomas Partey in a double pivot in midfield, if indeed Calafiori was fit. He might have played in the back four.
Timber, still only 23, has a number of defensive frailties which Postecoglou could look to expose by giving Dejan Kulusevski the freedom to catch him in one-on-one situations on Spurs’ right. The Swede can make runs in behind as well as physically outdo his Dutch counterpart, who could even be caught in the attacking third due to his propensity to get high up the pitch.
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Tottenham are certainly a more exciting team to watch under Postecoglou and have done everything so far, apart from finding the back of the net as often as they should have. The Arsenal clash will be another test of their character and should they win, it will help them banish their woes from the early days of the season.
