North London Derby – One of the most awaited London Derby of all time. The drama, The Charisma, The Passion, The City – everything will come together when Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur visits Unai Emery’s Emirates ‘The Fortress’ Stadium this Sunday.
Meanwhile, Its a matter of pride for Arsenal and Tottenham, although the Battle of London Titans promises enthusiasm around the globe for neutrals as well.
Two Men – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Harry Kane, are perhaps the centre of this drama with maybe Mesut Ozil and Cristian Eriksen their War Lords.
Both of the ‘worldclass‘ strikers are enjoying quite of a 2018/19 campaign and here it is as they come face-to-face, shoulder-to-shoulder and eye-to-eye this Sunday. Its not only about proving themselves but also about claiming the bragging rights upfront atleast until they cross paths later on in the dying season.
Unai Emery has refused to transform what Arsene Wenger implemented as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues his life on the left. Yes, he was played upfront last weekend when they faced Bournemouth, though with Alex Lacazette expected to return to starting eleven after missing out against The Cherries, Pierre is expected to draft on the left once again.
Now, here is a good news for the Gunners. Spurs right back Kerian Trippier will miss out on the train to Emirates with groin injury. Talking about Trippier, he is a beast on the offensive side of the game and could not only have kept Aubameyang tracking back but also would not provide the Gabonese enough space to frisk forward.
Although, his replacement is someone who is known to be better than him – Serge Aurier is still finding his feet to his life at London. Its not a sigh of relief for Aubameyang, considering the ‘physicality and pace’ Aurier is known for. But it could just give the left back (Sead Kolasinac is expected to start) some free space up ahead.
Aubameyang is still not controlling the games as you would expect. He is still playing with vulnerability upfront and has a lot to improve. Maybe Alex Iwobi is better off on the left rather. But Aubameyang is scoring goals and particularly at on a consistent basis and that is what matters. It doesn’t matter how much influence you have on the dribbles and on the passes unless you make them shaving into the net.
Its always nice to watch a striker providing more than goals, but you never heard any criticism surrounding Robin Van Persie who was exclusively a lethal finisher.
That is because That is because goals shroud the truth, they provide us with a rose-tinted perspective that we happily buy into. Goals, after all, are what the game is about.
In fact, Aubameyang is Arsenal’s highest goalscorer this season and sits right on top tied with Sergio Aguero in the Premier League’s Golden Boot table. Former Borussia Dortmund man has netted eight goals this season and is fastest Arsenal-man to reach twenty goal mark.
Thierry Henry – who netted 228 in all competitions – and Ian Wright (185) needed 40 PL games before they hit the back of the net 20 times, while Aubameyang took only 31 PL games.
Rather than looking for what he doesn’t do, Lets look for WHAT HE DOES. He scores, and he has always scored whether be it for Borussia Dortmund, Gabon or Arsenal. Aubameyang averages 111.4 minutes of action for Arsenal in the Premier League and believe me those are staggering numbers.
Aubameyang was named Premier League’s EA Sports October player of the month claiming five goals in just three matches despite the Gabonese only starting one of those games.
But there is a saying, ‘The best centre-forwards can change games without scoring goals’. That means that they have an impact on proceedings of the game on consistent basis, even in the big games when their team lacks consistent and controlled possession.
Fortunately/Unfortunately, Aubameyang is not included amongst those beasts who would influence the game with his charismatic style of play. But Is Aubameyang’s goal tally enough to overcome his lack of overall influence? – I fear that ain’t enough and that could probably be the one and only reason why the likes of Harry Kane, Diego Coasta and Alex Lacazette could be considered ahead of him up-front.
PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG | The Interview
When asked he if was enjoying Spurs’ recent performances, Aubameyang told Sky Sports News: “The rivalry is too much, but we know they are playing well. We know that it will be a tough game but we have to be focused on what we are doing.
“We know that if we want to win we need to work a lot.
“Both teams are playing well in this moment so we feel the atmosphere and the excitement. Everybody is talking about this game. It is always special to play a derby.”
North London Derby is a great platform to gain confidence and answer the critics and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just have to do that. Score Goals. Make sure Arsenal win. Make fans Happy and Provide a fu****g statement to the critics. Or Does he need to prove himself?
Talking about proving oneself, in that case, English media loves Harry Kane and the Englishman has in fact lived up to the expectations.
Harry Kane chases the records of Arsenal Legends when Tottenham visit The Gunners this Sunday. A record for most goals in the London Derbies.
After his strike against Chelsea last weekend, Harry Kane has now netted 25 times in 39 Premier League capital clashes, which ranks sixth in the Premier League record table for most strikes in clashes amongst the capital clubs.
Arsenal legend and all time top scorer Thierry Henry leads the line with forty three goals while Frank Lampard, Teddy Sheringham, Jermain Defoe and Ian Wright are next on the list. Harry Kane sits at par with former Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie at 25, though the Englishman has the second-best goals per game record on that list.
Kane is not the fastest but his physical strength gives him advantage to get past defenders, his physicality even gives him a fare advantage from dead ball.Kane is one of the reasons that set pieces comes under Tottenham’s strength. Harry is even known to knock the ball from distance and for his power finishing. He can even link-up well and set the ball in the way he wants.
“He seems to have that natural ability to get goals. He’s also young, fresh and his attitude appears to be very, very good. What I like about him, is that he is willing to run in behind defenders, as well as go short. When he gets opportunities he inveariably takes them. He wants to get his shot away very quickly, which is good to see. It looks as if he could have a very good future in the game.” — Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, on Kane in March 2015
Many pundits have failed to point out on Kane’s weakness and number of them have admitted the failure to do the same.
Harry Kane has already scored eleven goals in 17 appearances in all competitions of which seven were scored in the Premier League so far. We all know the story about Harry Kane, a boyhood Arsenal fan being rejected by his fan club at a very young age finding shelter under their City rivals and cherishing dreams for the Lilywhites and always desperate to prove himself when on pitch against The Gunners.
ARSENALCORE’s VIEW:
It does matter who comes out on the top this Sunday and I seriously hope Pierre Aubameyang manages to find the net couple of times. His goals have won us matches and he has to make sure once again the Arsenal finishes on top against their arch rivals.
Talking about Harry Kane, as you would expect – he would trouble Arsenal defence on regular basis. In fact, The Englishman is Tottenham’s attacking leader and that makes it even more important to contain him.
