Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Arsenal to ‘slaughter’ Tottenham in north London derby: ‘Absolutely rip them to shreds’

Arsenal will "absolutely slaughter" Tottenham in Sunday's north London derby, according to Paul Merson.

The unbeaten Gunners welcome unbeaten Spurs to the Emirates Stadium looking for a third consecutive derby win over their rivals.

But Spurs under Ange Postecoglou are a far more threatening prospect than the team coached by Antonio Conte last season, scoring more goals, attempting more shots and with a higher xG than tomorrow’s opponents.

But Merson believes Postecoglou's "gung-ho" approach will play into Arsenal's hands and Spurs will be "ripped to shreds".

Mikel Arteta has won the last two against Tottenham (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"I'm bullish, very bullish," he said on Sky Sports. "I can't see anything but an Arsenal win. I think they will absolutely slaughter them, I do. Absolutely rip them to shreds.

"I agree with Daws [Michael Dawson], I don't think they will change the way they play ... Man United had 14 shots against them in the first half, give Arsenal 14 shots tomorrow and we will see what happens.

"It's end to end, it's good football, I like the way they play, I like the manager. It's gung-ho football. But you don't play gung-ho football against better players than you.

"Arsenal have got better players than Tottenham, no question, all over then pitch. You talk about [James] Maddison, good player but you would not take him over [Martin] Odegaard any day of the week. [Yves] Bissouma has done well, but you wouldn't take him over [Declan] Rice, in my opinion.

"All over the pitch they are better players. Not many Spurs players get into this team, and if you open this game up tomorrow then Arsenal will destroy Tottenham. And I mean destroy them.

"If [Spurs] play a counter-attacking way, then it's a different football match but I don't think the manager has it in him to say 'let's counter attack'. He is full of pride.

"There is no point doing what you have done over the years, get a top job - which it is a Spurs - and get to the biggest game and change it."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.