Arsenal against Spurs: Alexandre Lacazette returns critical

Alexandre Lacazette returned to Arsenal training before Sunday's derby in North London. His return to the team is crucial for the Spurs game.

Arsenal is preparing for one of the biggest games of the season: the first London Derby in the North of the year, three points separating the two teams, a first test of the first four hopes of the Gunners. This is not a game to win absolutely. But that's not to lose.

And, on the side of Unai Emery, they will face their toughest rivals at the worst possible time. The Spurs dismantled Chelsea in a brilliant performance last week in a 3-0 win in which they regained their form last season. Harry Kane now looks bright, Christian Eriksen has apparently returned to form and Dele Alli is back in goal.

If both teams play as they did last week, it will not be a close match. Good news for Arsenal, therefore, Alexandre Lacazette resumed training this week after defeating Bournemouth's victory last weekend. The Frenchman withdrew from the national team at the November international break because of an injury to the groin and was subsequently forced to leave the trip to the coast south as a precaution.

It remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to start Sunday, but Emery will no doubt hope that it will be. Lacazette is a key member of this team and his absence was felt against Bournemouth, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being largely isolated and having no role to play in the role of the only striker.

Last season, it was Aubameyang who started his 1-0 defeat against the Spurs in early February. Again incarnated by the only forward-center, he was dominated by Davinson Sanchez and had very little contact with the ball, not at all significant. As against Bournemouth, he was suspended for an aimless, infrequent service and a desperate lack of support.

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Lacazette may not be as prolific a scorer as Aubameyang, but he gives more influence to the team. He is a lot more competent with his back to the goal, he has a first touch much more comfortable and consistent, and he is skilled enough to sneak into the midfield and connect the game from deeper positions, something that is not easy. Aubameyang rarely does.

And in a match in which Arsenal will face an urgent opponent, must compete competently and not let the pressure overwhelm them, having a center-front to provide a back-end will be invaluable. Many problems with Aubameyang stem from waves of relentless opposition attacks due to his inability to keep the ball. Lacazette releases the pressure of his team mates and allows them to get on the field simply by not giving the ball.

This is Emery's most important match to date. It is essential that Arsenal gets something from this match and it will be much more likely to do it with Lacazette in the scrum.