In 2 days, 7 hours time, Arsenal will be kicking off against Tottenham in the North London Derby. A team who has spent nothing, against a team who have spent nearly £90m. Here at SheWore, we compare the two sides if they both had a fully fit first 11. Who has the best side? Add your thoughts in the comments below…
Szczesny v Lloris
Both are amongst the best shot stoppers in the Premier League. But both also have their faults which may stop them fulfilling their potential. Hugo Lloris can often get a little ‘Hollywood’ with his saves, giving away needles corners. Whilst Wojciech Szczesny suffers from over confidence. He does not flap at corners (as flap normally means looks unconfident under them) he more makes the bad decision to come and runs into trouble.
The difference between the two is Szczesny’s faults will lead directly goals, whilst Hollywood Hugo’s will lead to good youtube highlights. Add him being electric on the line, Hugo Lloris gets it.
Szczesny 6 Lloris 8
Sagna v Walker
A player towards the end of his career against a player near the beginning. These two right backs are not just polar differences in where they are in careers but also in playing style. Bacary Sagna is a very defensive full back. Whilst Kyle Walker plays like a Brazilian, bombing forward and neglecting his defensive attributes.
If you could combine Sagna’s ability in defence with Walker’s ability in attack, you would have Cafu. As it is, both do their job well. Whilst Sagna might be past his best, Walker often shows his youth.
Sagna 7 Walker 7
Koscielny v Vertonghen
The athlete in both sides centreback pairing. Also the goal scorers. Both perhaps hit the headlines more last year for their goals then there defending, but that does not say both are poor defenders. Both are brilliant one on one and are amongst the most athletic in the league.
Vertonghen however edges it as he relies less on last ditch challenges and is stronger in the air.
Koscielny 8 Vertonghan 9
Metersacker v Dawson
The slow, yet ‘proper’ defender in both sides. Both are leaders on the park and both are proper defenders. Less concerned with running forward for the glory of a goal, more excited about keeping a clean sheet.
Dawson’s career at Spurs looked over last season as he was offered to QPR due to the emergence of Kaboul, but AVB realised that playing ‘2 athletes’ does not work and that you need a proper defender alongside an athlete. See Ferdinand/Vidic or Desailly/Blanc for your reference – Arsenal have done similar realising that the best partnership is Mertesacker with Koscielny, not Vermaelen.
Mertesacker is the clear winner in this contest as he is head and shoulders above the Englishman.
Mertesacker 8 Dawson 6
Gibbs v Rose
No contest. Despite there only being 10 months between them, Kieran Gibbs is superior in all hours. Better getting forward. Better in defence. Danny Rose is clearly a stop gap until Spurs find a decent left back.
Gibbs graduated from the England U21s in 2010. Danny Rose is still part of it.
Gibbs 8 Rose 5
Arteta v Capoue
Two completely different defensive midfielders. One is positional aware, has great reading of the play and can start attacks. The other covers the ground, is a physical ball winner and lets you know they are there.
Both of their strengths are the other ones weakness and the decision comes down to whether you think the defensive midfielders job is to let an opponent know he is there, or to win the ball quietly and start the attacks.
Arteta 7 Capoue 7
Ramsey v Paulinho
The man of the moment, Aaron Ramsey, against one of the most hyped up central midfielder to join the Premier League in a decade. A lot of what is known about Paulinho is from a good Confederations Cup and a performance against Chelsea in the World Superduper Cup for Clubs. This is a challenge I look forward too, not just for tomorrow but for the rest of the season. For me, at the moment, Aaron Ramsey edges it, as he has performed at a high level in the Premier League for all of 2013.
Ramsey 9 Paulinho 8
Wilshere v Dembele
Jack Wilshere and Moussa Dembele. Player’s which stats were not made of. Both are top players, you have only to watch them to realise that. Yet both do not score or assist enough. Whilst Wilshere has had his progress halted by injury, Dembele’s career at Spurs has also stuttered as AVB seems to always be looking for a better option (Bale in the middle, Dempsey, Sigurosson). When it comes down it, Wilshere is more talented, and will only get better.
Wilshere 8 Dembele 7
Walcott v Lennon
At one point these two were labelled as ‘nothing but speed.’ Aaron Lennon has not really pushed on since he became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League 10 years ago. Whilst Theo Walcott has struggled ever since he became England’s youngest ever player in 2006. However, last year Walcott broke through, scoring 21 and assisting 14. Aaron Lennon meanwhile scored just 4, assisting 8. There is no real comparison. Theo Walcott is far superior.
Walcott 9 Lennon 6
Giroud v Soldado
Whoever scores more in the League could determine which team finishes above whom. Neither have had a sparkling careers, Giroud in France until 25, Saldado a Real Madrid reject, but both will be looking to score a hatful for their new(ish) clubs. Both rely on the help of others to score, as neither are blessed with pace or the ability to create something out of nothing.
Soldado has hit 81 goals in his last 3 seasons. He is the more proven goal scorer. And it is that which just edges it.
Giroud 6 Soldado 7
Cazorla v Lamela
The little genius against he who is almost about to sign. Cazorla has assisted more goals in his time at England then any other player. He is a player of top quality. Lamela meanwhile is an unknown quantity. 15 goals from midfield at 21 shows talent. It comes down to a simple equation, would you rather a player who can do it, or a player who might be able to do it?
For once, Arsenal have the man with experience whilst Spurs have the man with potential.
Cazorla 10 Lamela 7
Arsenal 87 Tottenham 77
Keenos
