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| Tottenham can become a kingmaker with Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City all to play Spurs in the run in starting with Arsenal's visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
Aston Villa’s failure to beat Chelsea on Saturday night gave Tottenham some hope in the race for fourth. If Spurs win the three games, they can usurp Villa in fourth place.
Speaking of the three games, the first one is a North London Derby against Arsenal, a game that will define many things, but more importantly, it will have a huge bearing on who wins the title at the end of the season.
Arsenal clawed back after a damaging week that saw them crash out of the Champions League on aggregate in Germany against Bayern Munich and a home loss to Aston Villa, which took things out of their hands for a while.
While things are not completely in Arsenal's hands yet, you get the feeling that if the Gunners beat Tottenham on Sunday, the title might just be theirs. They must prioritize their tasks and wait for Manchester to make a mistake.
Arsenal destroyed Chelsea in midweek. The Blues have been tough to handle by most top sides; the champions didn’t beat them in the league over two legs; they held Arsenal in the first leg, and they did the same at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool, but second-leg results put Chelsea in their place.
Tottenham’s job is simple: beat Arsenal, and you’re on your way. It won’t be easy, as the Gunners have so much to lose. With almost everyone available on both sides, it will be a feisty game that will entertain everyone watching.
It will be a cagey affair; both sides like to start quickly, launching long balls when beating the press and playing out from the back to knock men out. You'll be surprised to see irresponsible high-line defense on Sunday.
Heung Min Son has been quiet recently; this is one game where he needs to show up and show off. He is not a stranger to the derby; he has scored important goals against the Gunners before, and he scored twice in the reverse fixture at the Emirates. He must step up with the same energy on Sunday.
Destiny Udogie is out for the rest of the season, while Pedro Porro is available for selection. Everyone is available for Arsenal, including Jurrien Timber, who featured for the U21s in midweek, but Mikel Arteta will think about his inclusion later.
If Arsenal wins this game, they stay on top regardless of what happens in the City game later in the day; it’s an important game for Arsenal’s title charge and an immense one for Tottenham’s top-four hopes. Where will this swing?