How Arsenal & Tottenham’s squads have been affected by Marcelo Bielsa

Arsenal vs Tottenham

It’s derby day in north London as Arsenal host Tottenham in the Premier League.

Tottenham come into the match above Arsenal in the table.

But a win for the Gunners in front of their home support would see Arsenal jump above Spurs in the table.

Marcelo Bielsa’s footprint at Arsenal & Tottenham

In the Sunday Times, the interesting story is told of how current Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa’s has had an affect on today’s Arsenal and Tottenham squads.

Bielsa’s impact has been seen through the managerial styles of Unai Emery and Mauricio Pochettino.

Previously, both the Gunners and Spurs bosses learned from Bielsa when he was in charge of Chile. The Times report:

Emery was the Valencia manager while Pochettino was preparing to go into coaching, and both had come to watch Marcelo Bielsa drill the Chile national team before a friendly with Spain in Villarreal.

Chile practised for three days at Valencia’s Paterna training centre and after each session Bielsa sat down with Emery and Pochettino to explain his methods and talk about football. “He is a special coach. It is difficult to train like Bielsa, but I think all coaches can learn something from him,” Emery said.

Bielsa is an idol for Pochettino, too. Emery and he bonded and in 2012, when Emery left Valencia for Spartak Moscow, he recommended that Pochettino — who ultimately stayed with Espanyol — should get his job.

How will Arsenal & Tottenham line-up?

Last weekend at Bournemouth, Unai Emery dropped German World Cup winner Mesut Ozil.

However Ozil is expected to return to the Arsenal XI on Sunday for the Spurs match.

Emery may go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alex Iwobi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the wide areas.

Alexandre Lacazette, who missed the Bournemouth game through injury, is set to lead the line.

As for Tottenham, Pochettino may line up his charges in a 4-3-3 formation.

With Harry Kane as the centre-forward, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min could operate as support.

Christian Eriksen, Moussa Sissoko and Eric Dier could line up in midfield.

Also see: Arsenal vs Tottenham betting tips: Premier League match preview & predictions.

Arsenal vs Tottenham live streaming: Watch online, preview, prediction & odds.


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