MX23RW : Tuesday, December 17 22:14:56| >> :120:7227:7227:

Mikel Arteta: 'Spurs have one of the most special attacks in Europe'

Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale have scored 34 Premier League goals between them.

Mikel Arteta admits his Arsenal side will come up against one of Europe's "most special" strike forces when they host neighbours Tottenham on Sunday.

Spurs moved past a century of goals for the season as Harry Kane scored twice in Thursday's Europa League round of 16 first leg win over Dinamo Zagreb.

Their collective tally now stands at 102 across all competitions as they prepare to make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium for the second north London derby of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta admits it will be a challenge to stop Tottenham scoring in Sunday's north London derby.
Mikel Arteta admits it will be a challenge to stop Tottenham scoring in Sunday's north London derby. (John Walton/PA)

Only Bayern Munich have scored more across Europe's top five leagues so far this season as the likes of Kane, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale have enjoyed purple patches at different times.

The trio are likely to start for Jose Mourinho's side as they go in search of a third straight derby win – and Arteta knows what a challenge it will be to keep them quiet.

"It's very difficult because the level of quality, precision, understanding and chemistry that they have between them makes them probably one of the most special (attacks) in Europe," he said.

"And they don't need much. They are able to create their own chances, they are able to link as a team.

"So it is really difficult to do, but we will prepare the game well to try to stop them obviously."

Kane, Son and Bale have hit 34 Premier League goals between them in the first 27 games of the current campaign.

They will be licking their lips at the prospect of coming up against an Arsenal defence which has kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 matches.

Arsenal secured a 3-1 win at Olympiacos on Thursday despite further defensive errors.
Arsenal secured a 3-1 win at Olympiacos on Thursday despite further defensive errors. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)

The Gunners have also gifted goals to the opposition in their last two outings, including an equaliser for Olympiacos on Thursday night in their own Europa League tie – where they rallied late on to win 3-1.

Asked if keeping more clean sheets was the biggest area for his side to improve on, Arteta replied: "Well, yes because the amount of chances that we are conceding has been really low.

"But the amount of chances that we have given to the opponent has had a big impact in the goals that we have conceded.

Kane and Son hit the goals as Spurs beat Arsenal 2-0 earlier this season.
Kane and Son hit the goals as Spurs beat Arsenal 2-0 earlier this season. (Glyn Kirk/PA)

"So it depends on us a big part, which is a really positive thing, but we know that it is a part that we want to eradicate to be more consistent with results."

"You have to find a way to win and there are certain things that are some basics that you have to do every game – and sometimes there are some things that you have to control because of the opponent, because of the circumstances, because of the time that is left.

"And that's a process we are in and something we have to improve very much to fight with the top teams."

ID:438883: cacheID:438883:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8822:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on February 7, 2021
Read Next:
Jose Mourinho: 'Harry Kane should be fit to face Arsenal'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!