Analysis

Tottenham vs Arsenal: Can Harry Kane rekindle form against old foes?

Harry Kane has scored 10 goals against Arsenal for Tottenham but had one touch in the opposition box at Bournemouth. Watch Spurs vs Arsenal on Sunday live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 4:15pm; kick-off is at 4:30pm

Ben Grounds

Sunday 12 July 2020 17:18, UK

It has been a struggle for Harry Kane and for Tottenham since the restart. But he can become the outright top scorer in the north London derby on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

In front of empty stands, the 187th north London derby will be a far cry from the high octane, red-hot atmosphere of previous editions.

But this will be the first meeting between the sides at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the hosts will be looking to extend their current unbeaten home run against their fierce rivals having won three and drawn two of their last five encounters.

Both sides are still chasing European football. If Jose Mourinho's men are to achieve that then victory will be crucial as their indifferent form since returning has seen them win just two of their five games, while Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side have won three of their last four, drawing the other, to sit one place above Spurs in eighth.

Will Kane return to old self?

Spurs currently sit ninth - a point below their neighbours - and did not manage a shot on target as they drew 0-0 at relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Thursday night. Kane cut a forlorn figure for much of the game at the Vitality Stadium, and he has struggled to return to his old ways following a six-month lay-off.

The England captain has understandably looked rusty since returning to action following a hamstring tear, despite scoring twice in five games. Kane has played every minute, with Mourinho putting his trust in the forward to get his side out of a hole.

But the jewel in the Spurs crown had to wait until late into the second half against Bournemouth on Thursday to even get a touch of the ball in the opposition's box.

Arsenal will be content to see Kane coming deep once more on Sunday, but the Gunners represent ideal opponents for the striker. Kane has scored 10 goals for Tottenham against their north London rivals and one more would move his top of the all-time list in this fixture.

Spurs are 18 points worse off than at this stage last season, and they need a fully-firing Kane if they are to cling onto any hopes of qualifying for Europe next season.

Tottenham look for turn in fortunes

In a week where VAR was once again thrust into the spotlight, Arsenal defenders will be mindful of giving away penalties. Spurs rightly felt aggrieved that they were not awarded one on the south coast with Kane after being shoved by Joshua King in the box.

Referee Paul Tierney and VAR Michael Oliver were in agreement that King did not commit a foul but Premier League officials have since admitted this was not the right decision.

Five of Kane's Premier League goals against Arsenal have been penalties - and Mourinho may well feel a decision is due to go the way of his team, after Oliver was again at the centre of a disallowed goal that would have drawn Spurs level in the 3-1 defeat last week against Sheffield United.

Jose refuses to be drawn to Oliver appointment

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho says that 'everybody in the world' could see that Josh King's foul on Harry Kane was a penalty after his side drew 0-0 with Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Oliver was the VAR at Bramall Lane and, as luck would it, he will be the man in the middle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Mourinho refused to speak about his appointment despite those controversies, saying at his press conference on Friday: "I cannot speak about it, I don't like to speak about it.

"I feel free to comment the referee performances after the performances but I don't like and I know from a legal point of view I can't make comment before matches."

Mourinho believes the referees and VAR officials should be made accessible after the games to explain their decisions.

"I think you should have access to them, I think you should have access to them to ask directly why," he added. "It is very important. They are very important in the game, I think so.

"It would stop nothing, make things much more open, much more clear. It would give the ref the chance to say, 'Yes, I made a mistake - I feel sorry for that', or 'Yes I had incredible performance'."

Arteta: Mourinho is still world-class

Arsenal head coach Arteta has defended Mourinho's record at Spurs since his appointment last November, claiming he is still a world-class manager and could be the right man to end the club's wait for a trophy.

Arsenal rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Spurs at the Emirates Stadium back in September when Unai Emery was in charge of the hosts and Mauricio Pochettino was the away manager.

Both clubs saw their fortunes drop off soon after, with Arteta replacing Emery just a month on from Mourinho being announced as Pochettino's successor in November.

Having been sacked by Manchester United last season, Mourinho's approach is being questioned more than ever, but Arteta believes he remains among the managerial elite.

Asked if Mourinho was still world-class, he replied: "Absolutely. They have had some ups and downs, but overall you can clearly see what he wants to bring to the club. He manages the energy, the momentum and established a really strong culture in strong football clubs that does it.

"He makes sure that he wins, and he has won in every single club that he has been. Obviously the situation, the timing when he arrived, is different than starting a new project right from the summer, but I am sure he will be successful.

"He has always been. He always finds the right way to do it and, it will take him a bit of time, but I am sure he will do it."

Can Aubameyang win race for Golden Boot?

While the long injury lay-off has meant that Kane - with 13 league goals to his name - has not been in the running for the Premier League's top scorer since the restart, Arsenal's talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has the accolade firmly in his sights.

His 20 league goals place him two behind Leicester's Jamie Vardy in the race for the Golden Boot, and he will be keen to make up for his late penalty miss in this fixture last season, which finished 1-1 at Wembley.

The Gabonese striker has been involved in four goals in his last three Premier League games against Spurs (three goals, one assist) - but all of these goal involvements have been at the Emirates.

Aubameyang is into the final year of his current contract, and with speculation surrounding his future, this could prove to be his last north London derby. It would be the perfect time to notch his first on strike on enemy soil and provide a timely boost for Arsenal's faint Champions League hopes.

Charlie Nicholas' prediction

This is a game where they will both look at each other and realise they have become average sides. From an Arsenal perspective, they are improving. It is slow and not overly attractive, despite playing decent going forwards.

Tottenham are going backwards. You look at Heung-Min Son, and I may regret this, but they look to be playing as individuals. There is no team pattern, but the defence changes and they keep a clean sheet. Harry Kane should have had a penalty but Bournemouth should have had a goal.

This is a team under Jose Mourinho which does not have any identity. It is hard work and they are grafting but it isn't working. Tanguy Ndombele is coming in for bits and pieces, Giovani Lo Celso is nice and neat, and Erik Lamela has lovely ability. Harry Kane is always a goal threat against Arsenal so I would not be surprised if he scored once again.

The back three of Arsenal looked more solid and in control, so for these improvements, alongside Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos, Arsenal have looked better. These two are not my favourites and they are weak defensively as a holding pair, but they have improved on the ball.

Tottenham could raise their game, but Arsenal will be dangerous on the counter-attack. Serge Aurier makes mistakes, and Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will both play as Eddie Nketiah is suspended, but I do think Arsenal could see them off.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

Team news

Tottenham will still be missing Dele Alli against Arsenal in the first north London derby at their new stadium. England midfielder Alli is suffering from a hamstring injury and will miss out.

Defenders Japhet Tanganga (back) and Juan Foyth (knee) are also injured.

Arsenal will be without striker Eddie Nketiah. The England Under-21 international was sent off in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Leicester and will miss the next three games after an appeal against the decision was unsuccessful.

Mesut Ozil (back) is likely to miss out again, while Pablo Mari (ankle), Bernd Leno, Gabriel Martinelli and Calum Chambers (all knee) are definite absentees.

Opta stats

Arsenal are unbeaten away from home in London derbies so far this season (W1 D2) - they last remained unbeaten in all of their away London derbies in a single Premier League season back in 2004-05.
Arsenal are looking to win three consecutive Premier League away games for the first time since October 2018, while they last won three in a row on the road without conceding back in May 2013.
Tottenham's José Mourinho and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta are each taking charge of their first ever north London derby matches. The last meeting between the sides that was the first such match for both managers was in September 1986, when George Graham (Arsenal) and David Pleat (Tottenham) played out a 0-0 draw at Highbury.
Mourinho has never lost a home game against Arsenal in his career, winning five and drawing four of his nine games - only versus Everton and Man Utd (both 10 games) has he faced more often at home without ever losing.

How to follow Tottenham vs Arsenal

Tottenham vs Arsenal is live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 4.15pm; Kick-off 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app.

Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

Around Sky

Get Sky Sports

Upgrade to Sky Sports

****DO NOT USE - FOR NOW TV ONLY****

Not got Sky? Get instant to Sky Sports with NOW