High Press Episode 28:
This weekend’s north London derby is the focus of Episode 28 of the High Press Podcast.
Host Alison Bender is joined by Art de Roché, Leon Mann and Matt Barlow to preview arguably the most anticipated north London derby of the Premier League era. The panel look at what this match means for both teams before delivering their predictions.
AngeBall
Bender starts the episode by asking Mann if Ange Postecoglou’s first season has been ‘falling apart’.
Mann, a Spurs fan, says, “I think we got off to a flier… just the way we played football, high-risk, high-reward.”
He continues, comparing the football of Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo with the entertaining play under Postecoglou. As he wraps up, Mann says Spurs are in a ‘very good position’ and that even competing for a top four spot is a good season.
Do Spurs want Champions League or Europa League
Barlow questions Spurs’ process to go from Mauricio Pochettino’s entertaining football through several more cautious managers only to land on Postecoglou.
On Postecoglou’s press conferences, Barlow says, “He talks well. And he doesn’t talk to us, he talks directly to the fans. He is likeable, and he is personable, but you don’t feel like he’s developing a personal relationship with any of the journalists he’s speaking to.”
Barlow and Mann both bemoan Spurs’ lack of squad depth, with Bender questioning if Postecoglou knows his best team.
After a discussion over whether the Champions League or Europa League would be better for Spurs, the focus turns to Arsenal. The Gunners are four points ahead of Manchester City, but the defending champions have two games in hand.
Barlow praises the impact of Kai Havertz in big games, while de Roché mentions how Mikel Arteta has learned the importance of having a plan B.
“Last year, he had his way. It was 4-3-3… this season he’s had to change a little bit.”
Arteta’s plan B is helping Arsenal
de Roché adds that Arteta found a successful formula that led to Arsenal winning several games by big margins, which included playing Declan Rice further forward.
He also notes how Martin Odegaard has stepped up as a leader, along with the presence of Rice in midfield. de Roché believes the squad has clearly matured after blowing the title at the end of last season. Mann likes Spurs’ chances on Sunday.
“Any team that comes to us and wants to play football, we have a chance
e. When we struggle is when teams have a low block, and we don’t have a way of breaking teams down in the way we did at the beginning of the season.”
Bender highlights how big a role Spurs have in the title race, considering they face Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.
North London Derby predictions
Mann fancies plenty of goals, and goes with 2-2 as his prediction. de Roché predicts a 2-1 Arsenal win with Heung-min Son to score via a gift from the Arsenal defence, as that’s ‘how Arsenal give away their goals now’. Barlow also expects plenty of goals, and goes with a 3-1 Arsenal win.
What are you backing for Sunday’s north London showdown?
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