Arsenal enter the North London derby as favourites, and a key tactical approach — nicknamed the ‘bomb squad’ — could be decisive against Tottenham. Despite injury setbacks for both teams, Mikel Arteta still has enough depth to execute a strategy designed to expose Spurs’ defensive habits.

Tottenham centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have a tendency to chase runners, often leaving dangerous spaces behind them. According to tactical analysis, Arsenal will aim to exploit this by using their No9 to drag defenders out of position, allowing midfielders like Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze to burst into the penalty area.

Whether it’s Viktor Gyokeres or Mikel Merino starting up front, dropping into deeper pockets can lure Romero forward and open channels for late midfield runs. Arsenal already lead the Premier League with 388 penalty area entries, highlighting how effective they’ve been at creating box overloads this season.

Arteta’s plan also focuses on pulling Tottenham’s full-backs away from their defensive line so wide players can make diagonal entries into the box. With talents like Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, Arsenal have the personnel to punish any defensive overcommitment.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank may respond by dropping midfielders Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur deeper to protect central spaces. This could temporarily create a back-six structure aimed at blocking Arsenal’s surges, though it risks limiting Spurs’ counter-attacking threat.

Arsenal, however, will be without defender Gabriel Magalhaes, a significant absence given his leadership and presence at the back.

With tactics set to play a major role and both sides battling injuries, Sunday’s derby promises to be a high-stakes showdown filled with strategic battles — and Declan Rice could be the player who tips it in Arsenal’s favour.