SUTTON’S THREE KEY BATTLES

SON HEUNG-MIN v BEN WHITE

NoBodY in the Premier League makes those runs in behind back lines better than Son. He represents a hell of a challenge for any defender and especially for White on his likely return from injury for this north London derby. Son will always be looking to come in from the left-hand side and peel into the space in behind, ready for that ball from you-know-who. That is where White, arsenal’s right-sided centre back who is expected to start, needs to be super switched on. Lose sight of the two-footed Son for even one second and you are watching him score.

HARRY KANE v GABRIEL

WHILe White will be worried about Son trying to get behind, Gabriel will be concerned about the man in front — and that is Kane. I’m not revealing any state secrets by telling you that the england striker is good at dropping deep to act as Tottenham’s source of creativity. But this poses a big problem for centre backs. When Kane drops, how far do you go with him? You cannot man-mark him all the way to the halfway line, like Leeds tried to do. It leaves too many gaps and gets chaotic. There needs to be first-class communication between Gabriel and Granit Xhaka tonight so one of them always knows when Kane is his responsibility.

BEN DAVIES v BUKAYO SAKA

HaS anyone checked Saka’s boots for super glue? The way the ball sticks to him, it is a splendid display of control, and davies has his work cut out for him. as the man on the left of Tottenham’s back three, Saka is his problem. If there is one forward that antonio conte fears most, it is this 20-year-old, who scored in the reverse fixture in September. Who tops arsenal’s list for goals? Saka. For shots? Saka. For dribbles attempted and completed? Saka. He is only one behind alexandre Lacazette for assists, too. as in all games, the result will largely come down to the head-to-head duels and Saka is someone who can make defenders look foolish.