Tottenham prepares for test in North London Derby at Arsenal
The optimism growing around manager Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur squad will be put to its stiffest test yet when they visit Arsenal for Sunday's North London Derby.
Despite the summer departure of Tottenham's all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, Postecoglou has gotten his side off to an unbeaten start to the new season while employing more aggressive, possession-based tactics than used by any of his predecessors last season.
So far, they've made up for Kane's production by committee, with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero each scoring two or more league goals.
Spurs (4-0-1, 13 points) have mostly employed a 4-2-3-1 and have held the majority of possession in every match. They've also enjoyed some good fortune, including wasteful finishing by Manchester United in a 2-0 home win late last month and goals deep into second-half stoppage time by Kulesevski and Richarlison to steal a 2-1 home victory against Sheffield United last weekend.
Now Postecoglou's players will see how they fare in their first match as a heavy underdog.
"It's a great challenge for us as a football team that's beginning on a journey and trying to have an identity in the way that we play," Postecoglou said. "There's no greater test than playing one of the top teams in the competition away from home who also happens to be your biggest sort of rival."
If Spurs have any edge, it's in preparation time after enjoying a full week off prior to matchday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal (4-0-1, 13 points) were occupied with their UEFA Champions League opener, a comfortable 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
It was the Gunners' second consecutive clean sheet since manager Mikel Arteta lifted goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in favor of
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