Tottenham Fan View: Arsenal still an unknown quantity ahead of north London derby

Arsenal reborn?

Right then. Here’s a conundrum. Through which lens are we all supposed to view Arsenal’s recent 5-1 bludgeoning of Sam Allardyce’s Everton? Was this proof that our North London rivals had somehow emerged from the transfer window a better side, despite having sold their star turn, Alexis Sanchez? Has Arsène Wenger miraculously got the old engine whirring again, while ridding himself of three forwards who between them scored 65 goals last season?

Or, alternatively, did we just witness an Everton outfit that is absolute bobbins?

Did the pummeling handed out by Arsenal, only serve to mask those defensive limitations not addressed in their January spending?

As a Spurs fan, you’re counting on the latter. Another false dawn. The traditional one step forward, two stumbles back for our local antagonists.

That said, it’s difficult not to be impressed by that new-look triumvirate of attacking talent. Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Özil is a fluid and dangerous forward line that could test far more accomplished defenders than Ashley Williams.

Aubameyang is the real threat. While the Gabon striker was quite muted for large swathes of the game at the Emirates, it’s clear he’s ready to spring like a viper when a yard of space opens up. We’ve seen during Spurs’ numerous meetings with Dortmund in recent years, what a lethal finisher he can be.

Oh for a 100% fit Toby Alderweireld.

READ MORE: Tottenham Fan View: Moura, Dele and the race for Top Four

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Any chance of seeing Lucas Moura?

Spurs Twitter released some training ground images of our new Brazilian winger this week, if only to prove the deal actually happened and not just the invention of our fragile imagination.

While teams all over the land gave debuts to their January recruits last weekend, Tottenham were noticeable for their decision to not even put the former PSG man on the bench.

Hardly a shock for anyone who’d done a bit of investigation, however. Picking through Mauricio Pochettino’s word’s since Moura’s arrival, it’s clear that he simply isn’t fit enough yet. Understandable, too, when you consider the amount of time he’s spent benched since August.

‘Six or seven months with no play, it is difficult,’ replied the Spurs coach, when asked about his chances of making his debut against Liverpool last Sunday. No sign of him against Newport, either.

To waltz into ANY team not match fit is a big ask, let alone one that relies heavily on its players having the lungs and legs of thoroughbred racehorse. Will we see him on Saturday?

Here’s Mauricio:

“I think he will be ready to be in contention. He’s doing well, training so hard,”

Well, he’s not saying ‘no‘ is he?