Ange Postecoglou needs to adapt or Tottenham will suffer against Arsenal

Tottenham don't tend to deviate from 'Angeball'. Regardless of the opposition, they play on the front foot with a high defensive line and try to pass through midfield.

It's admirable to have strong principles but in a one-off derby against one of the best pressing teams in the country, there's also nothing wrong in mixing things up to avoid playing into Arsenal's hands.

I wouldn't see any shame in Ange Postecoglou introducing a couple of surprises to knock Mikel Arteta's title challengers out of their stride.

Tottenham would usually invite teams into closing them down because they trust the quality of their own players. But it would worry me when Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are the pair charging forward to win the ball back.

It would be better for Spurs to mix up their play and even go long on occasions. Bringing back Richarlison to start at centre forward would give Arteta something different to think about.

The Brazilian provides a physical presence that Son Heung-min lacks. Even if he doesn't win every ball, Richarlison fights for everything and has an aggression about him. It would also free up Son on the left, where Ben White would be wary.

Of course it's good for any team to have an identity, as Spurs do, but you also need to discourage the opposition from utilising their strengths.

We know where Arsenal are good. There is nobody more athletic than Rice in disrupting the opposition build-up. And can you think of a creative No 10 fitter or more disciplined in his defensive work than Odegaard?

In the circumstances, for Spurs to try to play through the Arsenal midfield continually is a big risk. They came a cropper at Newcastle in their last game, and Arsenal are even more intense in their desire to win the ball back.

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