The perfect Arsenal game plan and an interesting twist in the formation to go 5 unbeaten in the NLD

 By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

The Gunners' next match is against their  local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal, who have gone unbeaten in four of the last five North London derbies, will look to make it five on Sunday.

This game will not be easy, but we are convinced that they will return to winning ways after drawing their last game before the international break versus Brighton.

Here is what they have to do:

1. Start quickly and take early chances

After the international break, games often start slowly with less momentum and no rhythm. Players can be sluggish. Yes, the momentum builds as the game progresses, but Arsenal should try not to be like that against Tottenham. 

They need a bright, quick start that will catch Spurs off guard and derail their game plan before they find their groove. 

We accused the Gunners of complacency in the first half against Brighton. That shouldn't be the case this Sunday.

2. Play Jorginho

We expect Mikel Merino (injury), Declan Rice (red card) and Martin Odegaard (injury) to miss the game. Even with these absentees, Mikel Arteta needs to find a way for his midfield to gel. 

There are various ways he may line up his midfield, but if you ask, we'd say he should start Jorginho in any formation he chooses (see below).

The Italian midfielder brings control and composure to Arsenal's midfield and his eye for a pass and ability to distribute the ball could be a secret weapon against Spurs. 

Having not gone on international duty, Jorginho would bring freshness into Arteta's midfield and might just produce one of those 5-star performances he pulled off last season.

3. Adopt the 4 2 2 2 formation

This sounds outlandish but was used by Arteta before (against Liverpool). It involves playing a pivot of two central midfielders (partey and Jorginho), two false number 9s or 10s ( Havertz and Trossard) and the two wide players (Saka and Martinelli). 

This is a very fluid system which allows for a strong midfield when not in possession and very offensive when on the ball.

                 Raya
White Saliba Gabriel Timber
         Partey Jorginho
Saka                      Martinelli
       Havertz Trossard


4. Exploit Tottenham's high line

Tottenham, like Brighton, plays with a defensive high line. Arteta could instruct his attackers to time their runs to catch the Spurs defence on the break. 

Jorginho's and even Thomas Partey's line-breaking passes, along with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka's pace, should hurt Tottenham's high line.

5. Push back the opposing full backs

Against our rivals you should have your fullbacks in position as they rely heavily on their fullbacks to create overlaps and underlaps in their game plan. 

If you eliminate the two, you may have just disoriented Ange Postecoglou's game plan.

Newcastle defeated Spurs 2-1 before the international break despite the fact that the North Londoners appeared to be the better team. 

The Magpies silenced fullbacks Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro which meant that Spurs struggled to capitalise on their dominance. Ben White and Jurrien Timber should be alert to counter the Spurs' fullback overlaps.

But above all the players that are selected to play will have to be disciplined, carry out the game plan and put in a performance that gives them the right to claim another famous win over our North London rivals.

Which we are very confident they will.