Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are Arsenal’s most common dribblers by far. Apart from the currently injured Gabriel Jesus, no other Arsenal players have attempted over 32 dribbles this season, Martinelli has attempted 66 and Saka 62. Spurs’ wide centre-backs will play an important role in stopping these players when they run inside past Spurs’ wing-backs. Romero has averaged 1.29 fouls per 90 and collected 2 yellow cards so far this season. It is also worth noting in the North London derby earlier in the season, Romero did commit a foul but got away without a card.

Possibly most worrying for Romero is he is the worst Spurs defender by quite a way at stopping players dribbling past him. Of the 16 times a player has dribbled at him this season, he has made a tackle just 7 times, a success rate of just 43.8%. He will likely be on Martinelli’s side of the pitch who attempts 4.1 dribbles per 90. With Romero’s poor tackling record up against the dribbling acumen of Gabriel Martinelli, this battle looks destined to end in a Romero card.

Harry Kane has scored 14 goals in North London derbies and scored all of his 7 penalties against Arsenal, however his more combative nature is often overlooked. Kane has been booked 4 times this season at a rate of a card for every 5 fouls he commits. Kane is up against Saliba and Gabriel in this match, this will no doubt be a physical battle however Kane is definitely not the favourite to win the aerial battle. Harry Kane went viral for the movement he often does under centre backs that leads to fouls and against two aerially dominant centre backs here, he has a good chance of committing a foul exactly like that which could lead to a booking. Gabriel is actually Arsenal’s 4th most fouled player, he draws 1.06 fouls per match.

The other thing we can expect in this match is Arsenal controlling possession with Spurs playing on the counter, Kane will often be pressing on his own while the players behind him sit in their shape and with Arsenal confident on the ball, he could leave a late challenge on Gabriel if he has taken his time in possession. These derbies mean a lot to Kane and he will be well up for it, at odds of 5.5 at the time of writing, he has brilliant odds for a card in this match.

This match looks to be a battle of counter-attacking vs possession football. After Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle, the Arsenal players may be feeling some pressure to not drop points again if they are to keep Manchester City at arm’s length in the title battle. This could make for some nervy defending on the counter with some desperate tackles to stop Spurs springing forwards. This means when you look at Arsenal cards for this match, you have to look at Thomas Partey who will be assigned the job of stopping any counter attacks in this match. Partey commits 1.11 fouls per 90 and has already received 2 yellow cards this season.

Spurs’ attacking pairing of Kane and Son are Spurs only regular starters who are fouled more than once per 90. Partey will be in charge of stopping these players early in counter attacks and if Arsenal have committed too many men forward it will also be his job to stop these attacks by committing fouls. If this match goes as expected, Partey should be a favourite for a card in this match.

Bukayo Saka may seem like an odd choice for a card in this match but due to Spurs’ formation, he could actually find himself getting a card this match. Conte prefers to set his team up in a 3-4-3 formation with 2 wingers and 2 wing-backs. Saka will start on the right and will have defensive duties in this match.

Arsenal’s left back will be tasked with watching Son Heung-Min so Saka will have to track the marauding runs of Perisic or Sessegnon when Arsenal are out of possession. Both these players prefer to get forward than sit back so Saka will have to be up and down for Arsenal, if he is caught off position he may fancy the easy route out and commit a tactical foul. At odds of 4.2 right now, Saka looks to be great value for a card in this match.