Arsenal have been told to target the “weak links” in Tottenham ’s starting XI as the two teams meet in the north London derby this Sunday.
Arsenal come into the game on the back of three consecutive wins, comfortably beating AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Prior to that, Arsenal bounced back from three straight losses - their worst start to a Premier League season - by securing 1-0 wins over Norwich City and Burnley.
Unlike Arsenal, Tottenham started the league campaign well, winning all three opening fixtures.
However, they then slumped to back-to-back defeats in the top flight before clinching a win on penalties over Wolves in the Carabao Cup.
Both of Spurs’ defeats were disappointing 3-0s against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
Although they showed some positive passages of play against the Blues, they were outclassed by Thomas Tuchel's side.
Indeed, both north London clubs find themselves floundering in the league, trying to rebuild and reassert themselves as dominant footballing forces once more.
Arsenal are 13th, no longer in the relegation zone, and Tottenham sit seventh.
Ahead of the showdown at the Emirates this Sunday, Arsenal have been told that their best path to securing all three points is targeting Tottenham’s new summer signings.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith claims Arsenal should focus on attacking the right side of the Tottenham defence, where both Emerson Royal and Cristian Romero are still finding their feet in the Premier League.
Smith believes the duo could be unsettled and beaten if targeted by the Gunners’ most-creative players, while he also claims Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will need to have his shooting boots on.
Emerson Royal struggled in his Spurs debut when he had a torrid time against Wilfried Zaha, who repeatedly got the better of him.
Smith is hoping Arsenal recreate that on Sunday and enjoy a similar win.
When speaking to Sky Sports News , he said: “It’s going to be interesting to see Arsenal’s attack against Tottenham’s defence, given those creative players and if Arsenal can get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moving and making good runs and playing with confidence.
“Tottenham have got a couple of new boys in Emerson Royal and Cristian Romero and that might be an area that Arsenal can exploit, perhaps down the left flank.
“Just like Spurs, that’s the strength for Arsenal: the creative players they’ve got. They’ve got energy, ideas, real talent there.
“In the coming weeks, if those creative players just behind Aubameyang can build up a relationship with the centre-forward, then you’re in business. But so much depends on Aubameyang.
“If it’s all falling down with him, if he’s not making the runs, if he’s not finishing his opportunities, then all that creativity comes to nothing.”
