Tottenham v Arsenal LIVE: Premier League team news and line-ups with Martin Odegaard set to miss out | OneFootball

James Maddison warms up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Getty Images)

Tottenham Hotspur face Arsenal in the first north London derby of the season on Sunday, as the Premier League continues its return after the international break.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have had a mixed start to the new season, with a draw in their opening fixture followed by a convincing win against Everton and a disappointing loss to Newcastle. And they host an Arsenal side who started the season in fine fashion – with two commanding wins from two – before slipping to a frustrating draw against Brighton in the last match before the international break.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be without Declan Rice and potentially Martin Odegaard, but both sides should otherwise be at full strength as they gear up for what promises to be a fiery contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Follow all the latest build-up, score updates and reaction from the Premier League fixtures below.

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Talking points: Can Spurs build on a mixed start to the season?

Spurs have won one, drawn one and lost one in their first three games this season, so it is a mixed start for a side that promised much in Postecoglou’s first season in charge.

But, like last season, Spurs have played well for the most part but have had lapses in concentration and quality that have cost them.

A disappointing draw in their opener away at Leicester was followed by a thrilling 4-0 win over Everton, but Spurs then slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle before the international break.

Today will be their toughest test so far, but it would certainly be a marker to their rivals if Spurs could grab a win.

However, it would pose more questions around the side and Postecoglou, mainly regarding why their form is so up-and-down for prolonged periods despite having a squad that boasts plenty of quality.

Chris Wilson15 September 2024 12:30

Ange Postecoglou: I’d be disappointed if Spurs wanted derby win more than usual

“I don’t feel any more pressure because there was pressure in that (Man City) game. I want to win every game,” Postecoglou said.

“I don’t care who we are playing. Let’s go out and play each other. I would want to beat you!

“I really would hate to think there are players in the dressing room who want to win this game more than any others.

“Or prepare differently or try harder in this game than any other, because that’s not the way forward. We understand the significance of it because if we do win, our supporters will be over the moon.

“I understand that if we don’t win, they are going to be devastated, but if we prepare this game differently than any other, then I’m disappointed because I want to win every time. That’s the only way you can be successful.

“I make no apologies for that. I’m not going to prepare any different for this game than I did against Newcastle or I will against Coventry.

“I want to win all the time and I want our club to win all the time. And if you do that then, yeah, if you beat your rivals in a big derby game then everyone gets excited and everyone feels great, but I want more than that.”

Ange Postecoglou feels Tottenham can bridge gap to Man City and Arsenal quickly

Ange Postecoglou knows it will not be easy for Tottenham to close the gap on last season’s Premier League top two but believes they can achieve it quickly.

Spurs finished 25 and 23 points behind champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal respectively last season despite a largely positive debut campaign for Postecoglou.

Arsenal make the short trip across north London to face Tottenham on Sunday and Postecoglou is firm in his belief they can bridge the gap to Mikel Arteta’s title challengers.

He said: “You have to acknowledge it. That’s the starting point. If you think there isn’t a massive gap, then it kind of defeats the purpose.

“That shouldn’t be daunting. It shouldn’t make you think it’s insurmountable. I certainly don’t think it is.

“I think that gap that exists between us and the top teams, we can bridge and we can bridge very quickly if we stay disciplined and focused on what we’re trying to do.

“Improve our squad, improve the way we play our football, allow our group to learn to win on a consistent basis and what that requires. And that sometimes means missteps along the way,” he added.

Chris Wilson15 September 2024 12:05