arry Kane is focusing on one other landmark day within the north London derby. The Tottenham striker is one aim away from matching Jimmy Greaves’s all-time Spurs file of 266 objectives and can also be simply two shy of 200 Premier League objectives.
With 14 objectives in 18 video games towards Arsenal, Kane is the file scorer in north London derbies, and it might be additional particular to cross these two milestones this weekend. However standing in his manner would be the finest Arsenal centre-back pairing he has confronted since his first recreation towards the Gunners, in 2015.
Gabriel and William Saliba have developed into an excellent partnership, serving to create a strong basis for his or her title problem. The pair have began each Premier League recreation this season on the coronary heart of a defence that has conceded simply 14 objectives in 17 matches.
When Saliba returned to Arsenal final summer time, after spending final season on mortgage at Marseille, he was not assured to be a starter. Ben White and Gabriel had carried out properly final season and, given Arteta views centre-back as the toughest place to play within the Premier League, he was cautious about throwing the 21-year-old into the group.
However Gabriel, 25, and Saliba “clicked” from day one in every of pre-season, and that sparked the concept White might excel at right-back. Arteta views the centre-back place as a partnership, which is why he acted shortly when Gabriel and Saliba gelled. He has spoken about their “chemistry” and “understanding”, and that applies on and off the pitch.
Arsenal can be counting on William Saliba (pictured) and Gabriel to maintain Harry Kane quiet
/ Arsenal FC by way of Getty PicturesTheir types complement one another: Gabriel is an aggressive, front-foot defender; Saliba depends on composure and tempo, dropping off and sweeping up when required. The partnership has had a knock-on influence additional up the pitch, with Saliba’s restoration pace permitting Arsenal to be daring with their press.
That may very well be a dangerous tactic towards a Spurs aspect famend for his or her counter, however Arsenal will level to the actual fact they’ve the second-best defensive file within the League, behind Newcastle. Off the pitch, Gabriel and Saliba take to each other. They’re completely different characters, with Gabriel seen as extra goofy and loud, in comparison with the quiet, cool Saliba. They convey in French and Portuguese and, one way or the other, it really works.
Arsenal lately tied down Gabriel to a brand new long-term contract and so they need to do the identical with Saliba. Arteta and the membership consider they’re the longer term. Kane was on the scoresheet when Arsenal beat Spurs 3-1 within the reverse fixture final October, when he scored a penalty after Gabriel had fouled Richarlison.
However Gabriel and Saliba’s partnership has developed since then. Maintain Kane quiet on Sunday and they’ll go a protracted technique to serving to Arsenal file their first victory at Tottenham since Tomas Rosicky scored the winner at White Hart Lane in 2014.
