Ex-Tottenham Hotspur star Michael Dawson believes his former side will have the advantage of Arsenal in the north London derby due to the absence of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard from the Gunners team.
Arsenal have seven points from their opening three games and have already shown their credentials as serious Premier League title contenders at the start of the season.
However, ahead of the big north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, the Gunners are missing a few key players due to suspension and injuries.
Rice is suspended after he picked up a red card against Brighton ahead of the break and Odegaard is expected to be out for a while due to an ankle injury he picked up on international duty with Norway.
Dawson indicated that Arsenal are going to feel the pinch of missing those two key players in the derby.
The former Spurs star feels the home side will have the advantage over Arsenal
The ex-Tottenham defender believes without Rice and Odegaard the gap between the two north London teams is much closer compared to last season.
He stressed the importance of the two players for Arsenal and believes without them, Spurs should fancy their chances in the north London derby against Arsenal, especially at home.
“I think the gap is closer now with those two players looking like they are going to be out”, Dawson said on Sky Sports.
“For me, Declan Rice is up there with Rodri as the best holding midfielder in the Premier League.
“And Odegaard? The captain and leader of that team.
“If he isn’t fit that is going to be give Spurs the advantage in my opinion.”
Mikel Arteta will hope that others will step up to the plate and some already feel that the Arsenal boss has an Odegaard replacement in his squad in Leandro Trossard.
