Will Arsenal capitalise on Liverpool’s slip in north London derby against Tottenham?

Will Arsenal capitalise on Liverpool’s slip?

Arsenal vs Tottenham, Wednesday, kick-off 8pm

Extra time and penalties, new injuries and another confidence-sapping evening at an increasingly edgy Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s FA Cup loss to Manchester United, following defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, was not ideal preparation for Tottenham’s visit.

Arsenal, already without Bukayo Saka, are now without Gabriel Jesus for even longer. Their attacking injuries, with Ethan Nwaneri also out, leave them reliant on a struggling Kai Havertz. Jurrien Timber and Jorginho were also forced off in Sunday’s game.

Physically, they were looking jaded even before the two cup games, their exhaustion clear in their second-half collapse against Brighton. With no time for a restorative trip to Dubai this year, Mikel Artet

a must find a way to reinvigorate his players on the fly.

It is a tough task. How the Arsenal boss would have loved a clear schedule this week. Instead, he must navigate one of their biggest games of the season, one in which anything less than victory will be even tougher for the club’s supporters to tolerate.

But after Liverpool’s draw at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, a win for Arsenal will take them within four points of the leaders, who have a game in hand.

Of course, Tottenham have a lengthy injury list too. They also endured an FA Cup ordeal of their own on Sunday, needing extra time to beat non-League Tamworth. But the physical demands of that game were far more modest than Arsenal’s. Ange Postecoglou was also able to rotate.

Their recent Premier League form has been far worse than Arsenal’s, with a solitary point taken from their last four games. But last week’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool hinted at a corner being turned. Although depleted themselves, Spurs should make the trip across north London sensing an opportunity.