“This is the most excited I’ve been by an Arsenal team” Legend announces ahead of North London Derby
Arsenal face rivals Tottenham away this Sunday in the North London Derby.
Spurs manager Antonio Conte is expected to have Dejan Kulusevski back after missing the past three matches with a muscle problem.
However, Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur face late fitness tests, while Lucas Moura remains sidelined with a tendon injury.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, on the other hand, is hoping he will have Bukayo Saka at his disposal after the winger was forced off at Oxford in the FA Cup on Monday.
Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson remain sidelined with a knee and thigh injury respectively.
And ahead of the big game Arsenal legend Tony Adams has praised the Gunners’ defence – Adams said: “Aaron Ramsdale, I really like the confidence and swagger he’s brought to the team after 20 years of Arsenal keepers being too respectful.
“Having Ben White at right-back has also made a huge difference because, hallelujah, we finally have full-backs that can defend.
“When you have an out-and-out winger like Bukayo Saka, you don’t need an attacking full-back and White has been able to fit in next to William Saliba and fill the gaping hole that we used to leave in that channel.
“White is comfortable at full-back and though Saliba and Gabriel still have an occasional mistake in them, as a unit they’re really solid.
“The Dixon, Bould, Adams and Winterburn combination at Arsenal was so successful because we worked as a unit and knew each others’ games inside out.
“You need consistency and familiarity from playing together on a regular basis and that’s what is happening with this Arsenal back four.”
He added: “This is the most excited I’ve been by an Arsenal team since I retired.
“There’s a group of guys who look like they have a chance of actually winning the title and now they’ve come this far they can’t settle for second place.
“I absolutely love what I’m seeing this season and defensively they’ve gone to another level.
“The manager has stopped rotating his team and we’re not being so stupid at the back.
“For the previous two years under Arteta and even before him when Unai Emery was in charge, there was a constant desire to play out from the back at all costs. It was suicidal football and their success rate in getting the ball out of their own half was only ten per cent.”
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