Tottenham’s Harry Kane Returns for Derby with Arsenal
Spurs fans received good news ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s North London Derby with Arsenal Sunday with Harry Kane said to be on the verge of rejoining the squad. The England striker has been sidelined by injury since September 18 and his return could come as an enormous boost to a Spurs side that’s struggled in front of goal recently.
Neither Son Heung-Min nor Vincent Janssen has found the goal often enough for Tottenham with the North Londoners now having found the net just three times in their last six matches. They looked particularly lackluster in attack in Wednesday’s Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen.
Kane, who has been the team’s leading scorer the last two consecutive seasons, will hopefully be available to provide some attacking thrust as manager Mauricio Pochettino takes his side across North London to face a red-hot Arsenal team at the Emirates Stadium.
While Kane can provide a lift up top, the continued absence of Toby Alderweireld will be of concern to Pochettino as he tries to devise a way to contain an Arsenal attack that’s scored 18 goals in six matches across all competitions.
Midfielder Mousa Dembele and winger Erik Lamela are also unlikely to feature against Arsenal.
Playing at home and undefeated since an opening day loss to Liverpool, Arsenal are the favorites for this installment of the Derby. The Gunners have been in resplendent form of late and Sunday’s clash could be an indication of whether or not they really are title contenders.
November has traditionally been a difficult month for Arsene Wenger’s sides. If the team, which currently sits second in the Premier League table, can follow up Tuesday’s Champions League win against Ludogorets with a besting of their rivals, it could give them momentum to ride out their usual November speed bump.
Pundits have noted a renewed “toughness” to this Arsenal side that suggests they may be better able to withstand the kind of character tests that have derailed them in recent seasons. Case in point, after giving up two early goals to Ludogorets, the Gunners came roaring back to win 3-2.
Olivier Giroud has returned to the squad with a vengeance, scoring three goals in two matches. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are also in perhaps the best form of their Arsenal careers at the moment and there is a genuine spring in the step of this Gunners side. But while Arsenal are favorites, it’s notable that Spurs remain undefeated in the Premier League and on their day, as we saw in the 2-0 win over Manchester City, Pochettino’s side are a match for any team in the division.
And as the old saying goes, the formbook goes out the window with games like these. With passion, pride and local bragging rights on the line, expect both sides to pull out the stops and go for it in what will hopefully be an open and engaging match between two of the Premier League’s best attacking sides.
Watch Arsenal vs. Tottenham in the North London Derby this Sunday November 6 at 7:00 a.m.